Ted Cheeseman storms out of ring after losing British super-welterweight title

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Ted Cheeseman relinquished his British super-welterweight title as he lost a unanimous decision to Scott Fitzgerald – the Bermondsey fighter storming out of the ring after the verdict was announced.

The South Londoner looked confident he had kept his belt as the scorecards of 116-113 (twice) and 115-113 were read out, but they were in favour of the challenger from Preston.

Cheeseman had produced a tactical switch in Newcastle’s Utilita Arena as he opted to box on the back foot – instead of meeting his opponent in the centre of the ring and waging war as usual.

Fitzgerald finished strongly in the final four rounds as the champion no longer maintained his lateral movement.

“It was very close,” said Fitzgerald. “I was far from happy with it. I definitely won the last three-four rounds – I did fall behind in the fight, I felt. I felt I couldn’t step through the gears – I had to drag it out of myself. The last fight [against Anthony Fowler] I had quite a lot of energy.”

Cheeseman’s record drops to 15-2-1.

PICTURES BY MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM BOXING