AT the third time of asking – and with something of a huge slice of luck – Thurrock boxer John Wayne Hibbert recorded a win over Derby boxer Dave Ryan at London’s 02 Arena on Saturday night.
The Horndon on the Hilll fighter was well behind on points going into the tenth round but Ryan appeared to pull up with a back injury and Hibbert showed no mercy and despatched him with a flurry of fierce punches that gave the referee no option but to stop the bout.
Hibbert was ecstatic at the victory, claiming “redemption” and taking the Commonwealth super lightweight and the WBC International super lightweight titles. Moments after the fight ended. He said he didn’t want to fight Ryan again, saying his rival could claim the 2-1 accumulative win between them but later he acknowledged that a fourth bout remained a possibility.
In truth Saturday brought something of a subdued performance from Hibbert, who lacked his customary aggression and had to survive a referee’s count but in the end, staying power proved decisive as Ryan clutched his back in the early moments of the tenth and Hibbert stepped in to claim the title belts.
