After waiting a year for the highly-anticipated rematch, WBA Bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell (29-2-1, 13 KOs) and Liborio Solis (25-5-1, 11 KOs) ended in a no contest at the Casino De Monte Carlo in Monaco on Saturday.
A clash of heads in the third round left a nasty cut near the left eye of McDonnell. Blood poured from the wound and referee Luis Pabon had the ringside doctor look at it twice before stopping the bout.
“I feel like crying,” said McDonnell. “The blood was impairing my vision a bit and I knew they were going to stop so I went for the knockout.”
Both fighters started fast, exchanging blows in the first two rounds. After the cut, McDonnell stalked Solis and they traded vicious blows before Pabon called a stop to the contest.
McDonnell beat Solis by 12-round decision last year but Solis appealed the controversial decision to the WBA and an immediate rematch was set.
McDonnell said it’s time for a new start and it’s time to rule the junior featherweight division.
“It wasn’t meant to be and the fight was cut short,” said McDonnell. “The fans here and at home will be disappointed because we only done a few rounds but that’s boxing. I’m moving up now.”
Header photo by Reuters
