Ionut Baluta Edges Brad Strand by Split Decision

In a closely contested bout at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, Ionut Baluta secured a split decision victory over local favourite Brad Strand, capturing the vacant WBO European super bantamweight title. The judges' scorecards reflected the bout's competitiveness, reading 98-91 and 96-94 in favour of Baluta and 97-93 for Strand.

The fight began with Strand effectively utilizing his jab and footwork to keep Baluta at bay, landing precise counters as the Romanian pressed forward. However, Baluta's relentless aggression began to succeed in the middle rounds as he increased his punch output and applied consistent pressure. A pivotal moment occurred in the ninth round when referee Marcus McDonnell ruled a knockdown against Strand after a jab from Baluta. This decision appeared contentious as replays suggested Strand may have slipped.

The final round saw both fighters engaging in spirited exchanges, each seeking to sway the judges in their favour. Despite Strand's efforts, Baluta's high-volume punching and the earlier knockdown proved decisive in the eyes of two judges. With this victory, Baluta improved his record to 17 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, while Strand's record now stands at 12 wins and 2 losses.

The decision sparked controversy among fans and pundits, with some, including former world champion Carl Frampton, expressing the view that Strand was "robbed" of a deserved victory.