Bedford-born Michael Stephenson lost out on the English light-heavyweight boxing title on Saturday (30 November) at Birmingham’s 15,000 capacity BP Pulse Live Arena with a points loss to the still unbeaten, Troy Jones.
Stephenson fought until the end but the experience and guile of Jones saw the title holder score a unanimous points victory to record his 12th win in 12 professional fights to defend his belt.
Promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, the fight was the final bout on the ‘Before the Bell’ event, broadcast live on the boxing promoter’s YouTube channel.
The clash was part of a huge undercard ahead of the Galal Yafai vs Sunny Edwards showdown, with Yafai winning the interim WBC flyweight title inside six rounds in the main event against Edwards, who announced his retirement post-fight.
Stephenson had propelled himself to this stage after a convincing points victory against Harry Matthews in Northampton, where Stephenson, known as ‘Mini Mike’, now trains out of with Team Shoebox.
Read: Boxer Stephenson set for English title fight after points victory in Northampton
In the customary pre-fight press conference, Jones had taunted Stephenson, telling the Bedfordian to “dust off his CV”.
However, the 10-round fight went the distance, with Jones prevailing 98-91 98-91 97-93 on the scorecards although Stephenson more than held his own.
The first two rounds were fairly even, with one of the judges giving them both to Stephenson, before Troy Jones showed why he was an undefeated English champion in the third.
Stephenson continued to land with left hooks consistently, before Jones was deducted a point in the fifth round for consistently leading with his shoulder, as Stephenson took another round off the title holder.
However, Jones’ experience began to show from the sixth round onwards as Stephenson found himself on the defence from rounds six to nine, occasionally with his back to the ropes as Jones attacked.
Knowing he’d need a knockout to win, Stephenson came out all guns blazing in the tenth and final round, but Jones held on to take the English title belt on the short trip home to Birmingham.
“I belong at this level”
Stephenson was defiant after the fight, offering his thanks to those who made the short trip to the BP Pulse Live Arena and vowing to make a return.
“I showed I belong at that level and I will stay at this level”, said Stephenson on Instagram.
“Thank you to Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith [of BCB Boxing] for the opportunity. I’ll be back on the shows next year don’t you worry. And thank you to Team Shoebox for everything, you are honestly the best team ever.”
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and my sponsors, I appreciate it with all my heart.
“Well done to my opponent, Troy Jones, what a fight week we had. We gained so much exposure and we gave the fans a fight to remember. Good luck for the future.
“From seven white collar fights in Stevenage Holiday Inn in front of 15 people to fighting for the English title on the undercard of a world title fight on a Matchroom x DAZN show with 10,000 people.
“I’ve done pretty well.”
