Frank Warren Blown Away By Flanagan, Smith KO Wins

Best of British, Terry Flanagan and Liam Smith, spanked the Yanks at the Manchester Arena in their world title fights with Flanagan retaining his title and Smith being crowned new world champion.

Manchester ace Flanagan destroyed his mandatory challenger Diego Magdaleno inside two round in the first defence of his WBO World Lightweight title, while Liverpool star Smith smashed John Thompson in seven.

It was vindication for Flanagan who won the vacant title in July against Jose Zepeda, but a only after the American dislocated his shoulder in the second round.  Flanagan was on a mission to prove that he is the real deal and he caused huge eruptions in the boxing world with his performance over Magdaleno.

For Smith, 27, he became the first of the famous talented brothers to win a world title.

Promoter Frank Warren was thrilled with both their performances and is predicting an exciting time ahead.

He said, “I thought Terry was phenomenal and for me that was the most outstanding performance by a British fighter in the last two years,”

“He absolutely annihilated Magdaleno, who was his mandatory challenger, in such a devastating manner. He lived up to his nickname Turbo and went straight through him,”

“I’ve had many great nights with Ricky Hatton at the Manchester Arena and there are going to be many more ahead with Terry, I’m really excited with the future,”

“Liam was absolutely sensational and it was a fabulous performance by him to win the world title in such a conclusive fashion by knocking out Thompson,”

“He really made the boxing world sit up with that performance and there are some cracking big fights to be made with him,”

“Both fights went out live on TV in America and they can’t of failed to have been impressed.  We’ve got two great British World champions in Terry and Liam who are going to go on and achieve more great things.”