Unbeaten Scott Quigg Puts On Flawless Performance In Stopping Jason Booth In Seven, Wins British Super-Bantamweight Title

By James Slater: Last night in Bolton, Lancashire, unbeaten 23-year-old super-bantamweight contender Scott Quigg stepped up in class to take on crafty veteran and defending British super-bantamweight champ Jason Booth. The Ricky Hatton-promoted hope rose to the occasion in quite sensational style, winning every minute of all seven completed rounds.

At the end of the 7th, after having taken a number of hard and accurate shots to both head and body, 33-year-old Booth was pulled out by his corner. Quigg is now 23-0(16). “2 Smooth” is now 36-8(15).

Right from the start it was apparent Quigg was the bigger, faster, sharper, more powerful man. Booth was as game as they come, trying to cope with the attacks of Quigg, but the defending champion’s power was nowhere near that of the challenger’s. Quigg stalked his man from the get-go, and his body work, with the left hand especially, was very impressive.

A sharp left hook to the head caught Booth in the 2nd, as did a right hand upstairs and some more body work. Booth has always had a great chin and tonight he needed it. Booth was using a lot of movement, and he later admitted he was breathing hard after a few rounds.

Quigg was boxing a very smart and patient fight, and at the end of the 3rd he really had Booth under fire. “2 Smooth” was starting to be worked over come the 4th, yet as game as ever he fired back his own shots. Already the writing appeared to be on the wall, however. It was simply a matter of how much Booth would be able to take.

The action was fierce in the 5th, as Booth had no option but to stand and trade with the challenger. All the hard shots were landed by Quigg and by now thoughts of pulling Booth out were being suggested by those at ringside.

A nasty right uppercut landed on Booth’s chin in the 6th, as did some hard right hands to Jason’s head. Booth was still game, but he was getting worked over – what’s more, Quigg was making it look easy! Quigg had clearly won all six rounds.

Booth’s corner gave their man one more round, but after a bad 7th, in which he had to ship more right hands and another sharp uppercut, the towel was thrown in.

Both men had nothing but respect for each other afterwards, and Quigg spoke of taking bigger fights to “prove I am the best.” Booth, who said he has “been fighting forever,” said he may drop down a weight if he is to carry on.

The sky seems to be the limit for Quigg. Fights with guys like Rendal Munroe and reigning Commonwealth ruler Carl Frampton (who was at ringside and spoke of wanting the fight) would prove hugely interesting, while a world title shot could be on the cards for Quigg the way he’s going.

Promoter Hatton feels he has found a future superstar. Based on last night’s showing by Quigg, Ricky may be right.