25 years ago

Date: 13th February 1999

Venue: Telewest Arena, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear

Title: WBC World Super-middleweight Title

Promoter: Queensberry Promotions

Tv: Sky Sports Box Office

Richie Woodhall
( 24 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 167 lbs

Vincenzo Nardiello
( 33 - 6 - 0 )
Weight: 168 lbs

Having won the WBC World Super-middleweight Title from South African Thulani Malinga in March 1998, Telford's Richie Woodhall made his second defence against former champion Vincenzo Nardiello at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear on a joint main event card with the Joe Calzaghe vs Robin Reid, WBO World Super-middleweight Title fight sharing top billing.

The always awkward Italian, Nardiello, came with his usual back of tricks, which immediately alienated him from the crowd inside the Telewest Arena in Newcastle, but he had his moments while the fight lasted.

Ultimately, Woodhall proved too big and powerful for this version of Nardiello who in his day was difficult to work out and an expert at using the rules to his advantage.

Nardiello was adjudged to have scored a knockdown in the 5th round but the replay clearly shows that Woodhall lost his footing. The champion did return the favour with a legitimate knockdown near the end of the round and finished the job in the 6th with a sustained attack which led the Italian corner to throw in the towel. Referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia called the fight off at 1:44 of the round.