Boxing: Narrow title defeat may open new doors for brave Sullivan

Sean Sullivan's brave late bid to win the vacant Commonwealth welterweight boxing title yesterday may have been enough to secure him a rematch.

Sullivan, from Auckland, was narrowly beaten by England's Scott Dixon in Bethnal Green, London, despite hammering his opponent in the 11th round.

Dixon, aged 23, seemed to be coasting to a points victory over an opponent eight years his senior when he was rocked in the 11th round by Sullivan's solid right hand.

The tiring Dixon had to keep out of trouble for the final three minutes to land a close 115-114 decision from referee Dave Parris.

Sullivan's manager, Phil Kingsley-Jones, said the narrow loss could result in more overseas opportunities.

"It may open the door for him to have another shot," he said. "Hopefully we can challenge again."

Kingsley-Jones said Kevin Barry had "done wonders" in helping prepare Sullivan, who was by far the stronger of the two fighters at the end despite having arrived in England just five days before the match.

Barry said if the fight had been in New Zealand, with Dixon arriving with five days to spare, Sullivan would have won.

"It was a fantastic achievement at such short notice," said Barry. "Sean is always very fit and well-conditioned, that's one of his strengths."

Dixon, the former Scotland amateur, lost a British title challenge to Derek Roche last year in one of the best British domestic fights of the decade.

Dixon started slowly against Sullivan, who holds the New Zealand welterweight and light-middleweight titles. But once he got his jab working there looked like there could only be one winner, with a cracking right in round three rocking Sullivan.

Sullivan was as aggressive as his cornermen, who performed the haka in the ring during the introductions.

The experienced New Zealander threw a lot of punches but had a poor connection rate and Dixon steadily built a points lead before his late scare.

"I got caught near the end and I thought, 'Oh, here we go,' but I've done it before and I did it again," Dixon said.

"I never saw the shot. It was a glancing blow and my senses went but I just kept moving."

Dixon said he wanted a rematch with Roche, who was at ringside, with both the British and Commonwealth belts on the line.

- NZPA