17.05.08 – by James Slater: Last night, in Turin, Italy, 38-year-old Gianluca Branco out-pointed the U.K’s Colin Lynes to regain the European light-welterweight championship. Defending champ Lynes, much younger at age 30, found out just how hardened and tough the veteran Italian warrior is. The scores were indicative of how close the fight was. Branco won by a split verdict, with two judges going for him by scores of 114-113 twice, while the third judge gave it to the defending champ by a 115-113 margin..
A gruelling and entertaining fight throughout, the small but very enthusiastic crowd enjoyed it. The drama came quickly once the bout began. Decked in the 2nd round by a sharp right hand to the temple area, Branco did well not to get stopped. The first half of the fight was pretty much all Lynes, while the second half belonged to the Italian.
Branco hurt Lynes noticeably in the 7th round, as he sprung to life with a good burst of punches. In particular a couple of right hands to the head had the 30-year-old covering up as he was forced onto the ropes. Now a battle of attrition, the two men saw it through to the very end. Branco was marked underneath both eyes, while Lynes was swollen underneath his left eye. Both men were understandably tired at the final bell, and both fighters embraced. They knew it had been a close one.
After a fairly long wait, the scores were at last read out. Colin Lynes had lost his belt and he was massively disappointed. Speaking with Sky Sports later, the now ex-champ said he felt he’d done enough to win and keep his title.
“I felt I did enough to win, especially with the knockdown,” Lynes said. “I’m gutted. Why would they [the judges] give any close rounds to him just for the sake of it? I can’t go on and on about it, but with the knockdown as well, what more can you do over here?”
Lynes certainly had a case, but the fight was simply too close to argue about. Perhaps there will be a return match – maybe this time in Britain. With his win, Branco, who has been in with the likes of Miguel Cotto and Arturo Gatti in the past, improved his record to 41-2-1(20). The beaten Lynes fell to 31-4(12).