Roberts retains world crown

13 April 2012

West Ham's Steve Roberts retained his WBF world light-middleweight title when he beat American Keith Mullings inside two rounds.  

Roberts, making the third defence of a title he won against Scott Dixon in August, has gained his 24th straight victory.

Mullings, 33, may be a shadow of a fighter that once held the WBC world title, but all credit to Roberts.

The unbeaten southpaw took control early in the opening round when a sharp right to the side of the New Yorker's head forced his gloves to touch the canvas at the Wembley Conference Centre.

Referee John Keane gave him a mandatory count of eight before Roberts picked him off with some crisp right leads.

Mullings, still shaken by Robert's positive start, never recovered and ran into more trouble early in the second.

Roberts, avoiding a lunging left hook, landed a superb right to the jaw, sending Mullings staggering into the ropes.

Referee Keane immediately stepped in and, despite Mullings' protests, called it off after 1min 53secs.

Roberts, 28, said: "I felt really good. Mullings never recovered from that shock in the first.

"The referee was right to stop it - he was gone. I have always been a confident fighter and with my team behind me, I can only get better."

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