By Elliot Foster
Manchester Arena, Manchester, England - Ryan Burnett set himself up for a spring homecoming by picking up a third title in his past three fights.
The British bantamweight champion added the WBC International crown to his haul with a victory over Anthony Settoul at the Manchester Arena as part of the undercard to the world super bantamweight title unification showdown between fellow Ulsterman Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg of Bury.
Burnett, who beat Jason Booth to clinch the Lonsdale belt in his last fight in November, knocked his man down in the fifth round, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, but otherwise laboured to a points decision of 100-89 twice and 100-90.
He is now scheduled to headline a bill in Belfast on April 30, live on Sky Sports at a venue to be confirmed.
And Isaac Lowe claimed the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title with a victory over Marco McCullough.
The Morecambe man took on the former European title challenger in a Matchroom vs. Cyclone collision.
It turned out to be, no pun intended, a titanic battle, with both fighters giving it their all.
But as it wore on, the cousin of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury –– Lowe –– began to tee off somewhat at will and after McCullough took just about enough, the referee was having a good look but was saved from doing his job by the Belfast man’s corner, who threw in the towel to withdraw their man from any further punishment.