Sheffield – On paper, the British middleweight title eliminator between Kieron Conway (20-3-1, 5 KO’s) and Linus Udofia (18-2, 9 KO’s) looked like being a drawn out, nip and tuck battle. In truth, Conway barely needed to get out of second gear.
The physically imposing Conway took the center of the ring while Udofia skirted around, poking out a jab to the stomach and looking to land his overhand right.
Udofia was waiting for the perfect moment to let his right hand go as Conway edged forward behind a tight defence and long jab. There were precious few clean punches being landed but Conway gave the impression of being in control of matters.
Udofia came up short in an attempt at the British title when he dropped an exciting decision to Denzel Bentley last year and was desperate not to let another chance at the Lonsdale belt pass him by, but he just couldn’t build any momentum. The fight continued to drift by with Udofia seemingly wary of committing to all out attack and Conway content to bide his time and stalk around the ring behind a jab.
Eventually, Conway sensed the time was right to inject some urgency into his work. A left hook momentarily stunned Udofia in the fifth and caused his right eye to slam shut almost immediately.
As the bell sounded to start the sixth round, referee Howard Foster had a close look at Udofia’s closed eye and stopped the fight.
Conway positioned himself for a shot at the British title – still held by Bentley – whilst Udofia must rebuild.