2016 Olympian Davey Oliver Joyce (12-1, 8 KOs) bounced back from his first career defeat with a fifth round TKO against former IBF bantamweight world champion Lee Haskins (36-5, 14 KOs) to claim the WBO European junior featherweight title on Saturday at Belfast’s historic Ulster Hall. In round five, Haskins twisted a knee and went down on his own. He got up limping and Joyce pounced prompting referee Howard Foster to wave it off soon after. Time was 2:54.
Joyce moved down from featherweight for this fight after losing to Leigh Wood in the “Golden Contract” tourney.
The 37-year-old Haskins announced his retirement after the bout.
Unbeaten super lightweight Sean “The Public Nuisance” McComb (10-0, 5 KOs) was victorious when Mauro Maximiliano Godoy (32-6-1, 17 KOs) couldn’t continue after round six due to an apparent jaw injury.
In a battle for the vacant Irish lightweight title, elongated 6’3 Gary “The Diva” Cully (10-0, 5 KOs) scored a first round TKO over previously unbeaten Joe “The Dragon” Fitzpatrick (10-1, 7 KOs). Cully dropped Fitzpatrick hard with a clean combination, then finished him with a furious follow-up barrage. Time was 1:38.
Unbeaten welterweight Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (11-0, 6 KOs) decisioned John Thain (17-5, 1 KO) in an eight-round tilt. Score was 79-73.