Adonis Stevenson retained his World Boxing Council light heavyweight title by unanimous decision on Saturday night in a tougher-than-expected brawl with Poland's Andrzej Fonfara at Bell Centre. Stevenson (24-1), who defended the title for a third time, picked himself off the canvas in the ninth round and needed to clinch to get through the round before battling back the next round to preserve the victory.
The lanky 26-year-old Fonfara (25-3) was knocked down in the first round and again with a body shot in fifth, but kept coming back and going on the attack. In the final round, he caught Stevenson with a right and went all-out for the knockout. Ringside judges John McKay and Jack Woodburn had it 115-110 while Richard DeCarufel had it 116-109, all for the 36-year-old Stevenson. It was the first time Stevenson went the distance in a fight in 15 bouts since 2007.
After the bout, Stevenson said he hoped to take on legend Bernard Hopkins next.
"It was a good fight. I hurt my left hand so I used my head and boxed him," Stevenson said, adding that he was hurt when a punch found an elbow. "He's a tough guy. I told everyone he was strong. I did not overlook him. He came here to be the world champion. Bernard? He can be next."
