Munroe survived an early onslaught to triumph over Martinez

Rendall Munroe retained his European super-bantamweight title with a hugely impressive unanimous decision over Kiko Martinez at the Barnsley Metrodome.

Spain's Martinez was out for revenge, having lost his crown to the Leicester southpaw a year ago in Nottingham.

He started strongly and inflicted a cut over his opponent's left eye but Munroe gradually took control and was well ahead on all three judges' scorecards.

He finished with a flourish to seal 116-112, 116-113 and 118-110 margins.

Munroe, 28, had won his crown by a majority decision over Martinez and had clearly learned much in his three subsequent fights.

Two big shots from the Spaniard in the first round suggested he would be up against it but Munroe regrouped superbly.

He continued to step up the pace down the stretch, finishing with two big rounds as his opponent sagged in the ropes.

Meanwhile, London-based Nigerian Ajose Olusegun retained his Commonwealth light-welterweight title with a seventh-round stoppage of Derby's Scott Haywood.

Stylish southpaw Olusegun, ranked number six by the World Boxing Council, landed a solid left to send Haywood to the canvas and referee John Keane rightly stopped the contest, stretching the champion's record to 26-0 with 13 knockouts.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version