Woodhouse too good for Ryan

Curtis Woodhouse claimed the vacant English light-welterweight title after winning a majority decision against Dave Ryan in Rotherham.

The 32-year-old former footballer, who improved to 17-4 with the victory, was matched for most of the fight by his opponent but scored what proved to be a crucial knockdown in the third round.

At the end of 10 rounds two judges gave the fight to Woodhouse with scores of 95-94 and 96-94 respectively, while the third had the two fighters even at 95-95.

Ryan was sent to the canvas with a left hook in the third but bravely got to his feet and came back at Woodhouse over the remainder of the fight.

And he even had Woodhouse hurt in the last round, the Driffield fighter being forced to hang on in order to see it out to the final bell.

"It is very difficult when you're in there, but I felt I did enough to win the fight," Woodhouse told Boxingscene. "I put him down in the third, was hurt myself in the second and felt I was on the Waltzer, but I put him down in the third and caught him nice - I didn't think he was getting up.

"He is a tough kid, it was a great fight and a tough day at the office - I'll have to ask (promoter) Dave (Coldwell) for an easy one next time."