Jack Rafferty and Mark Chamberlain are targeting a rematch after their entertaining British and Commonwealth junior-welterweight title fight was scored a draw.
Over the course of 12 competitive rounds at the Planet Ice in Altrincham, England, Chamberlain built a promising lead, was cut by both eyes, and then had to resist Rafferty improving during the second half of their fight to produce a strong 11th round and avoid defeat.
One score of 115-114 in Chamberlain’s favour and two others of 114-114 meant the majority draw that ensured that Rafferty, 29, retained his titles following Chamberlain’s move up from lightweight.
Their fight – the 27th of Rafferty’s career and the first he hasn’t won – being both evenly matched and violent meant a rematch appeared likely even before they spoke, and, post-fight, Rafferty told DAZN: “ Definitely not the fashion I wanted [to keep my titles]. It takes two to tango – credit to Mark Chamberlain. I don’t control the scorecards – that’s up to the judges – I thought I’d done enough.
“Probably Mark thinks he done enough. I’m not too sure – I can’t speak for him – but I definitely thought I’d done enough. It’s fucking – it’s 0-0. There’s gotta be a champion. It’s gotta be done again.
“I put him under pressure. I was scoring the better shots; I was scoring more shots. Credit to Mark – he was there, he took ‘em, he come back with ‘em. I thought I did enough, especially towards the last half of the fight. Like I said, I don’t control the scorecards. Credit to Mark; credit to his team. He prepared well; strong, fit man. In my eyes, it’s gotta be run again.”
Chamberlain, 26, had lost to Josh Padley in September in his first fight at 140lbs, and he told DAZN: “As I said in the build-up, I’m not his previous opponents, so I will stand there and give it to him as good as he give it to me. I might have a few scars on my face, and [be] bleeding, but I can take all that – it’s the fight game. If we can’t take that then what are we doing in the ring? I’m a fighting man at the end of the day.
“I know I gave Jack probably his hardest fight to date. He’s a tough, tough man – he’s unbeaten, and this is what I wanted. For me to be able to push on in my career, not only moving up in weight, but he’s the British and Commonwealth champion. If he’s the man with the belts, he’s the man I’ve got to fight. You heard him say it from his mouth – he wants a rematch, I want a rematch, so let’s get it on.”
Rafferty-Chamberlain II, not unlike their first fight on Saturday evening in northern England, represents the nature of match-up and contest that would be relished in the UK, but asked about a rematch Chamberlain said: “First and foremost, I want to thank Jack, for sharing the ring with me for 12 rounds, Frank [Warren, the promoter], and the guys at Queensberry [Promotions]. Like he said, let’s run it back. Turki [Alalshikh], if you’re watching back in Saudi, let’s get it on. Let’s go.”
Rafferty, in turn, said: “It’s gotta be take two. Let’s get some warm weather in Saudi at Christmas time.”
