By Andy Clark
Pro Boxing Insider was ringside at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England, on Saturday night. The Life of Brian card showcased some of the UK’s rising talents, including Lee Selby, Blackpool’s Scotty Cardle, Matty Askin and headlined by Blackpool’s Brian Rose. Rose (22-1-1) squared off against ex WBA World Champion Joachim Alcine (44-3-1) for the vacant WBO Interconternental Championship.
Rose managed to secure a disciplined 12th round TKO over Alcine but had to grind out the victory in front of his vocal hometown support. Both fighters started cautiously, both trying to find their range and establish their jabs. Rose landed a few good shots in the opening rounds but then seemed to take his foot off the pedal and gave Alcine some momentum through the middle rounds. Alcine landed a quality uppercut whilst Rose was against the ropes, in the 9th round, but Rose managed to clear his head after a few unsteady moments.
Rose came roaring back towards the end of round 11, landing numerous shots to the body and head. Rose maintained that momentum into round 12, trapping Alcine in the corner before unleashing a flurry of shots, forcing referee Richie Davis to call a stop to the contest one minute into the 12th round.
Rose, after the fight, admitted to Sky Sports that he showed Alcine “too much respect” and admitted the pressure was there going into the most important fight of his career. Eddie Hearn plans on giving Rose another outing, potentially in June and aims to get Rose raising up the world rankings sooner rather than later.
Follow Brian on Twitter: @Brian_Lion_Rose
Photo: Andy Clark
Photo: Andy Clark
Photo: Andy Clark
