How James Tennyson’s world title bid fell short while Michael Conlan’s star just keeps on rising

Belfast challenger ‘disappointed’ as masterful champion shows off skills

JAMES Tennyson went in search of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but found himself repeatedly caught in the Venus flytrap of Tevin Farmer’s razor-edged skills in the famous Boston Garden.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Tennyson’s world title assault ended at 1:44 of the fifth round after a second trip to the canvas due to the IBF super-featherweight champion’s savage body blows. It wasn’t just that Farmer was a step ahead at every turn it was as if he had been microchipped with Artificial Intelligence to read the Belfast man’s mind such was his dominance.

Southpaw Farmer (right) may have been a couple inches shorter than the Belfast man but his timing and control of distance allied to his sharp footwork gave him the opportunity to pick the Belfast man apart almost from the opening bell.

Tennyson came to the ring with a puncher’s chance but often could not find the time to set himself and detonate the blows that could have dissuaded Farmer from continuing his exhibition of polished skills.

Even at close range when the 25-year-old challenger sought to have success, Farmer was able to pivot and block before spearing home his snappy blows.

Tennyson did manage to land a couple of solid blows in the second round but in the third it was clear that Farmer was truly finding his rhythm and he peppered the gutsy Belfast challenger with a succession of hooks and straight right leads. Then came the first knockdown in the fourth when

exx r d moment to counter Tennyson’s attack with a tasty left hook to the body which brought about the first knockdown.

In the fifth Tennyson winced form a further body shot and then went down when caught again by a left to the ribs. Stretching upwards on the canvas as if to try and relieve himself from the effects of the shot, Tennyson’s challenge was ended by experienced referee Arthur Mercante jnr.

It had been a harsh lesson for Tennyson who simply did not have an answer to the champion’s movement and array of punches.

Though, it is also worth noting that the Belfast man looks as if the time is right for a move up from super-feather to lightweight, which could well see him offer greater resistance to body assaults.

Tennyson said: “I’m very disappointed obviously, after a lot of hard work and a lot of time in camp.

“To be honest I think the fight was stopped early. From the second round the referee was coming over and asking if I was alright. I’m in a fight, there’s nothing wrong with me, I was walking away happy. I wasn’t hurt at all and he was coming around as if I was hurt.

“I knew he was a crafty opponent. His style was slick and slippery. I wasn’t landing some of the shots clean enough. I’ll give him his due, he was a really good mover. I was making him work though, at a good work rate and I was going on the fact he would tire. I know that from about six on he gases and I was working him.

“I want to get straight back into big fights. It’s a loss at the highest level in boxing and I want to get straight back up there.

“It’s been a massive experience and great memories. It’s something I’ll never forget. I’ve worked from a young boy right up until this point for this night so it’s a good experience. Looking forward to getting back in there.”

Champion Farmer, promoted by Eddie Hearn, is hoping for a clash with bitter rival Gervonta Davis or at least a unification title on the back of this first successful defence.

“I’m just getting started. I only stated boxing at 19 and lost four of my first 12 fights… I can’t explain what it means for me to be here, to be world champion,” said Farmer. “I want everybody with a belt.”

Meanwhile, Katie Taylor successfully defended her world lightweight titles with a unanimous points victory over Cindy Serrano on the same bill.

The 32-year-old from Bray inflicted a first defeat in six years on former champion Serrano from Puerto Rico.

“My own display was OK. It’s hard when someone is so defensive,” Taylor said. “I really expected a tough fight but she was on the back foot.”