ROMAN GLADIATOR
Morrison scores stunning upset win over Blandamura
MANCHESTER’S Marcus Morrison produced a stunning win when he overcame Emanuele Blandamura at the Stadio Nicola Pietrangeli.
Morrison was not expected to win but in the ninth round landed a monstrous right hand, thumping the shot down the middle to drop the Italian. Dazed, Blandamura crawled to the ropes and leaning on the strands slowly rose. He was in a bad way and referee Francisco Alloza Rosa ended it at 2-44 for of the penultimate round.
For Morrison, who has suffered significant setbacks against Jason Welborn as well as journeymen Tyan Booth and Alistair Warren, this is a key victory over a former European champion that should set his career on a new trajectory.
Northern Ireland’s Tommy Mccarthy was due to meet Florence’s Fabio Turchi. The Italian, however, withdrew at a late stage. Mccarthy still competed on the show, forcing stand-in Francesco Cataldo of Nettuno to retire after two rounds.
Italian Olympian Valentino Manfredonia, a bronze medallist in the European championships, made his professional debut on the show, unanimously outpointing Serbia’s Sokol Arsic in a four rounder.
Emiliano Marsili, a former European champion, 42 years old yet still unbeaten chalked up a six-round unanimous points win over Spain-based Nicaraguan Brayan Mairena.
Francesco Ramacciotti scored 60-55 in Marsili’s favour, both Raffaele D’erasmo and Marco Marzuoli had it 60-54.
THE VERDICT What a result for Morrison, who was greeted by a healthy crowd of family and friends at the airport upon returning to the UK.