Collins and Lorente Remain Unbeaten After Split Draw
Nathaniel Collins and Cristobal Lorente both preserved their unbeaten records following a thrilling split draw in the WBC featherweight title final eliminator. The bout took place at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, where a panel of neutral judges rendered three different scores: 115-113 for Collins, 115-113 for Lorente, and a 114-114 draw. While the consensus indicated that Collins had a slight edge, few disagreed with the drawn outcome.
Title Belts Retained
Both fighters left the ring with their regional titles intact—Lorente held the European title while Collins retained his WBC silver belt. A win for either would have solidified their position for a world title shot. Currently, Collins stands as the WBC’s No. 1-ranked featherweight contender.
A Competitive Fight
Collins started strongly, taking an aggressive stance and establishing a brisk pace that pressured Lorente. He found early success in the first three rounds with effective long-range left punches. In the second round, Collins stepped up his combination punching, enjoying a notable spell in Round 3, where Lorente finally started to counter with a successful combination of his own.
Lorente Shifts Strategy
As the fight progressed, Lorente began to pressure Collins in Round 4, turning the tide. A powerful right hand at the end of that round marked a turn in momentum. In Round 5, Lorente intensified his performance, landing significant blows in the closing seconds.
Back-and-Forth Action
Collins realized a change was needed in Round 6 and delivered a strong performance, hurting Lorente early on. The two engaged in a firefight, exchanging powerful shots and showcasing their resilience. However, this intense effort took a toll on Collins, leaving him fatigued as the fight continued.
Pacing and Fatigue
Round 7 saw a lull in action as both fighters took a moment to recover. Collins controlled the fight’s pace, landing counters, but Lorente rebounded in Round 8, landing effective straight shots. As the contest approached its final rounds, Lorente maintained pressure, showcasing effective body shots in Round 9 and a solid performance in Round 10 while Collins visibly tired.
Thrilling Conclusion and Future Prospects
The final round was an exhilarating exchange, with both fighters going all out to impress the Glasgow crowd. As the bell rang, they received a standing ovation, having put everything on the line. Neither fighter was able to claim victory, but both expressed interest in a potential rematch in post-fight interviews.
Other Fights on the Card
In other bouts, light heavyweight Willy Hutchinson defeated Mark Jeffers, who faced his second consecutive loss. Hutchinson showcased his skills, ultimately leading to a stoppage in Round 7. Additionally, Louie O’Doherty captured the British lightweight title with a 10th-round TKO over Regan Glackin, with Glackin’s corner throwing in the towel after a dominant performance by O’Doherty.
