Koepka’s on top of world after Jeju win
cante Jr. “I know it’s a world title fight, I’ve refereed over 40 or 50 world title fights, and this kid eventually was gonna get hurt and I didn’t want to see that happen. That’s why I called an end to it.”
Aged 25, Tennyson will be better for the experience according to Tony Dunlop, who says his man is still improving and will return from this setback.
“James was obviously very disappointed with the decision but the first thing he said to me was ‘I’ll be back’. He will get another world title shot and it’s only a matter of time before he becomes world champion. He has a lot of big fights ahead of him.
“Farmer is a very slick boxer but I don’t think he will hold the title for too long. He’s not a guy who will be in the Hall of Fame one day but he is a very good defensive fighter.”
Tennyson’s manager Mark Dunlop credited Tevin Farmer’s performance, but also disputed the stoppage.
“James got caught by a good body shot, but he was on the verge of getting up. He’s been in worse predicaments than that. James was behind, but the second half of the fight was when he would make his charge. Tennyson is a credit and he’s still the Commonwealth champion.”
Speaking after the bout, Farmer revealed that much of his prefight work was centred around attacking Tennyson’s lean frame.
“He had a high guard so the whole camp we were going to the body and working off the jab. I know that going to the body is very important, as is using the jab. I listen to my amazing team and just execute whatever they say — it worked tonight.”
Three-time major winner Brooks Koepka closed out victory in the CJ Cup at Jeju Island in South Korea to become world number one for the first time.
The four-shot success over compatriot Gary Woodland was the American’s third of the year — the others being the US Open and USPGA.
He will displace Ryder Cup team-mate Dustin Johnson, who did not play this week, when the rankings are officially confirmed today.
“To be world number one is something I dreamed of as a kid and I don’t think this one’s going to sink in yet,” he said.
“Everything I’ve done this year it’s been working. So I don’t want to change anything. Just keep improving. I’m so excited right now, you have no idea. I can’t wait to go play again.” IT was quite the weekend for most of Ulster’s rugby folk with Banbridge, City of Armagh and Ballynahinch all winning while struggling Ballymena finally managed their first victory and with it, some much-needed points.
The table also now has four Ulster clubs in the top five, sitting behind leaders Naas, though there are now only four points between second-placed Bann and the Braidmen, who are still bottom of the pile despite all their efforts to get a win.
And while there was doubtless much celebration around — both Bann and Hinch won games on the road — Malone were feeling none of it after being badly turned over in the Ulster derby at Armagh.
The Belfast side were not only beaten for the first time, after two notable victories from the league’s opening rounds, but dropped from second to fourth place in what has become a very tightly-congested table.
With their backs very much against the wall after two poor showings, the pressure was on Ballymena to avoid a highly damaging third straight reverse.
And it was fitting that the Braidmen delivered at Eaton Park where they saw off St Mary’s College 40-22 and took a try bonus as well from the clash.
The most visible contribution to the result was out-half Tim Small, who accounted for an impressive 25 points, with a try, four conversions and the same number of penalties to bring his club a much-needed result.
Ballymena’s other try scorers were Ulster hooker John Andrew, Chris Cundell and Glenn Bailie though, for all their good work, Andy Graham’s men remain in 10th thanks to an inferior points differential from St Mary’s and Buccaneers, who also have five points.
Bann rose to second place after they became the first side to take Naas’s scalp when Caleb Montgomery’s late try ensured they left Co Kildare with a 20-16 result, on what was winger Adam Ervine’s 100th AIL appearance.
Earlier, Peter Cromie had crossed for two tries in what was a tightly-fought game, with Bann’s total being completed by an Adam Doherty conversion and penalty.
Hinch came back from trailing 10-0 to bag their first win of the campaign at Old Belvedere, from where they also took a bonus point in their 32-17 victory.
Bradley Luney and James Simpson scored late tries to take the game away from the hosts and guarantee the five points while Brian McLaughlin’s side had earlier worked Rory Butler and Campbell Classon over the Belvo line.
The Ulster derby at the Palace Grounds was a tame enough affair by comparison with Armagh in control from early on before they finally prevailed by 32-3 for what was their first win of the AIL season.
The hosts lead 14-0 before Malone scored their only points of the game from a Jack Milligan penalty.
Andrew Smyth, Josh McKinley, Nigel Simpson and Pete Lamb all helped Armagh to take ownership of a bonus point victory.
In the Millar, McCall, Wylie Junior Cup, holders Ballynahinch 2nds made it to the last four after beating Limavady 3932.
Elsewhere, Malone 2nds edged out Lisburn 19-14 while Grosvenor saw off Larne 52-5.
In the other quarter-final, Dromore had too much power for Portadown and won 48-22. Results: 1B: Ballymena 40 St Mary’s 22, Armagh 32 Malone 3, Naas 16 Banbridge 20, Belvo 17 Ballynahinch 32