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Martin Gethin wins an IBF title by stoppage

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Walsall's Martin Gethin gave up home advantage and still became a world-ranked fighter with a gruelling 11

th

round stoppage of Carl Johanneson.

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Walsall's Martin Gethin gave up home advantage and still became a world-ranked fighter with a gruelling 11th round stoppage of Carl Johanneson in London.

Gethin dropped Leeds' Johanneson in the 10th and halted his opponent in the next round of their IBF International lightweight title tussle on Frank Warren's dinner show at the Mayfair Hotel on Friday night.

The two-time English champion overcame the wiles of a Lonsdale belt holder through his runs with British honours at super featherweight and a former world titlist with the WBF.

Johanneson – the nephew of former Leeds United footballer Albert – started strong with a place in the IBF's top 50 at stake and took the fight for the first three rounds.

Despite the switch of his bout from Walsall Town Hall on the same night, Gethin recovered from the early blows but only really forced his way into the contest from the eighth round.

His left jab popped out like never before to negate what had been forceful long shots from Johanneson and, with that, the tables turned in his favour.

A relentless pressure offence saw a barrage of hooks end with a right that dropped Johanneson to one knee in the 10th round, which pulled Gethin back into the running on points.

It didn't matter the next time Gethin got close enough to let his shots go again in the following session, another flurry of punches forcing referee Marcus McDonnell to step in and end the fight.