Ellis Zorro set for nose surgery following successful defence of WBO European title

Ellis Zorro retained his WBO European cruiserweight title with a unanimous points win over Luca D’Ortenzi last weekend.

The 31-year-old champion, born in Lewisham and now residing in Bromley, won by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 97-93 to move his record to 17-0.

It was Zorro’s first defence of the belt he won by stopping Hosea Burton in May.

The South Londoner is set to now have surgery to repair damage to his nose sustained in the Burton bout.

Zorro said: “I’m happy to get 10 rounds. I know he has never been stopped before, so I didn’t necessarily think it would be easy to get rid of him.

“I felt a little bit behind the gun, I was too long hanging around in the changing room and I think I burned a bit of nervous energy. My nose prevented me from breathing the way I would have liked to. But it’s a good learning fight – no excuses.

“I know I can do 10 rounds now at a good pace and with a tough guy. He was clever in there and knew how to survive.

“I’ll have some downtime away from the gym, get my nose done and spend some time with my family, my daughter.”

Streatham bantamweight Chris Bourke stopped Adam Mbega on the same show at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

The 29-year-old southpaw (13-1) said: “I switched on from the beginning. I felt calm and relaxed. My corner said I needed to make a statement against him – that it was time to show the levels.

“I want either Sean McGoldrick, who has the British title, or Thomas Essomba, who has the European title.”

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