LIVERPOOL, England - Joe McGrail collected the Central Area junior featherweight title with a fifth round stoppage of Aaron Hayden at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena. Hayden, a 31-year-old southpaw, looked to be an awkward opponent in the opening exchanges but McGrail adjusted, targeted the body, and dispatched his man at 2:22 of Round 5.
Hayden, was elusive from the off, taunting McGrail on the back foot as he flicked his southpaw jab into his face. McGrail, 23, remained composed, planting home his jab but struggled to land anything telling.
It seemed as though it could be a dull affair but late in the second the fight sparked into life. McGrail, 13-0 (6 KOs), tagged Hayden with a right hand that seemed to force the awkward portsider to stand and trade. Referee Mark Lyson had to pull the pair apart at the sound of the bell, but both showed respect as they returned to their respective corners. McGrail turned his attention to the body of Hayden in the third and started to find more success.
Hayden was starting to wear the shots and a cut appeared on his right eye midway through the fourth. McGrail continued to hammer away at Hayden's midsection and made a real dent with a left hand. McGrail upped his work rate in the fifth and Hayden started to come apart. Although it was only midway through the contest it seemed as though the underdog was struggling with the pace and McGrail took full advantage.
McGrail pressed forwards, landing shots to the head and body, with a left hand to the abdomen sending Hayden down to his knees. Hayden remained there for the full 10-count and relinquished his Central Area belt in the process. Hayden fell to 10-1 (2 KOs) with the first defeat of his career.
