By Mark Vester
At the York Hall in Bethnal Green, Ian Napa (18-6, 1KOs) upset the odds to capture the European bantamweight title with a close majority decision over champion Carmelo Ballone (21-3, 10KOs). The scores were 114-113, 114-113 and 114-114.
Napa's bodywork was the key to victory. He banged away at the body for most of the fight. A clash of heads during the fifth opened up a cut above the right eye of Ballone. The cut bothered Ballone, who lost control of the fight at that point. During the eight, Napa rocked Ballone, but he was able to survive. By the tenth, Napa's body damage paid off when Ballone went down to a knee to get some air after a wicked right hand caught him offguard. Ballone tried to rally in the late rounds, but it was not enough to pull out the decision.
"I've put so much hard work in and I thank my team for this victory," Napa said. "I deserve this, all my hard work has finally paid off. Words cannot explain how I feel."
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