ABDALLAH RETAINS WORLD TITLE

Jordan’s Amer Abdallah has retained his World Kickboxing Association cruiserweight world title following a points victory over England’s Nathan McCarthy in Lockport, New York.

The unbeaten 39-year-old won a 10-round unanimous verdict against the younger fighter, aged 23, who arrived in Amer’s adopted city full of confidence.

“I want to thank everyone who came out and thank God we were able to retain this title,” Abdallah said after the fight, surrounded by his family and closest friends.

“It was an ugly fight. I wanted to come out and fight a young, strong guy, but as soon as he closed the gap he held on. I just wanted to make it a fight on the inside, but I think I did enough on the outside to out-point him. At the end of the day, I had him backpedaling the whole time and we're going to keep the title in Lockport. That's three English guys down. Next?”

The three judges' scorecards had it 96-94, 96-94, 96-94 and the victory moves Amer’s record to 18 wins from 18 fights.