Misfits Boxing 21 Live Blog: Darren Till vs. Darren Stewart
This live blog covers the main event of Misfits Boxing 21 featuring Darren Till taking on Darren Stewart at Vaillant Live in Derby, England, on Friday.
Till’s Boxing Aspirations
Darren Till aims for his third consecutive win in professional boxing, headlining his second Misfits Boxing event. In January, he made a striking entry with a sixth-round knockout against Anthony Taylor. A former welterweight title challenger in the UFC, Till has not competed in MMA since departing the organization in 2022 and holds an MMA record of 18-5-1.
Stewart’s Boxing Debut
Also with a background in the UFC, Darren Stewart had a mixed record of 5-7 (with 2 no contests) during his tenure. He makes his professional boxing debut this evening. Stewart’s last fight in March 2024 for Cage Warriors ended in a second-round knockout against Carlos Pereira, ending a four-fight winning streak.
Fight Highlights
During the opening round, Till established dominance with powerful left-hand punches, scoring a knockdown against Stewart. Although Stewart managed to recover, he found himself on the defensive throughout the round, which ended with a 10-8 score in favor of Till.
Rounds Breakdown
As the match progressed into the subsequent rounds, Till continued to outpoint Stewart while showcasing effective combinations. In round four, Stewart began to show resilience, landing some significant shots but largely fell behind on the cards. By the end of round six, MMA Fighting scored the fight 58-55 in favor of Till, as both fighters engaged in exchanges indicating a mutual respect.
Final Moments
In the final round, both fighters had their moments, but Till landed a powerful left hand that nearly knocked Stewart out just as the bell rang, sealing a dominant performance. The official decision granted Till a unanimous victory with scores of 77-74, 77-74, and 77-73.
Post-Fight Reflections
In his post-fight interview, Till praised Stewart’s toughness and mentioned his desire to face KSI, suggesting a potential tag team fight against the Paul brothers if a solo bout doesn’t materialize. Till acknowledged the intensity of their match and emphasized that mutual respect can exist even in fierce competition.
