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Dennis McCann defended his Commonwealth super-bantamweight title and his unbeaten record with a dominant points victory over Brad Strand in Birmingham.<\/b><\/p>\n
McCann knocked Strand down early in round two and dictated from then on.<\/p>\n
The Maidstone-born fighter is now unbeaten in 16 professional bouts, winning 15, as this fight also earned him the vacant British super-bantamweight belt.<\/p>\n
Strand struggled to land a blow as he lost for the first time in 12 fights.<\/p>\n
McCann won by unanimous decision, with the judges’ scorecards reading 118-111, 116-111 and 116-112 in his favour at Resorts World Arena.<\/p>\n
Champion McCann, who comes from a traveller family and cites Tyson Fury as an inspiration, does not lack confidence – claiming in the build-up that he has a bigger fanbase in Strand’s home city of Liverpool.<\/p>\n
The unbeaten 23-year-old had suffered his first career blemish in his last fight, when his contest against Ionut Baluta ended in a majority draw after a clash of heads – and he came out to make amends at rocket pace.<\/p>\n
McCann put Strand on his backside 20 seconds into the second round with a reverse one-two that broke straight through the Liverpudlian’s guard.<\/p>\n
He followed this up with a long and powerful left that staggered Strand, who suffered swelling to his lips and left eye.<\/p>\n
While Strand regained his footing, McCann was far sharper and landed the best blows – notably a short left hook that rocked his opponent’s head in round four.<\/p>\n
Strand slowly grew into the fight, landing a couple of combinations in the eighth and going on the attack in the late rounds as he sought a knockout.<\/p>\n
But though the fight went the distance, McCann was able to showboat with some flashy footwork at the end of round 12, knowing the win was secure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n