Burns-Di Rocco: Ogogo Wins On Return

By Elliot Foster

Anthony Ogogo kept up his undefeated run in what was his first fight for almost a year.

The middleweight prospect moved to 9-0 (5 KOs) at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.

Ogogo, the Olympic bronze medallist from 2008 in Beijing, had been out since July, 2015 after suffering a dislocated shoulder in his last fight.

But he showed no signs of injury as he dominated late stand-in Gary Cooper, on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ clash with Michele Di Rocco for the vacant Super WBA super-lightweight crown, which will be aired exclusively live on Sky Sports.

He dominated proceedings against the 27-year-old Welshman, who drops to 4-20-1 (2 KOs), before his corner compassionately saved their man from taking any further punishment by throwing in the towel.

Ogogo was originally set to face Germany's Chris Herrmann over six rounds, but Cooper was drafted in at late notice.

Meanwhile, former two-time British middleweight title challenger John Ryder won over six rounds against Robert Talarek (60-55) and British lightweight champion Scotty Cardle remained unbeaten after claiming a six-round points victory against Ivan Njegac.

And earlier in the card, Sam Ball improved to 6-0 (3 KOs) with a stoppage win in the third round.

Glasgow’s Ball faced previously undefeated George Hennon, who slips to 3-1, and was forced to rise from the canvas in round two before dropping and stopping his man less than three minutes later.