Not quite a WBO World middleweight title defence against Billy Joe Saunders, but it was a title-retaining victory over a Saunders for Ireland nonetheless.

Just over four weeks before Andy Lee puts his coveted crown on the line against the English puncher, Gearoid Clancy defeated Brendan Saunders in the aptly named Punch Bowl on Friday morning (Irish time).

The victory, the fifth of Clancy’s career, sees him retain the New South Wales lightweight title.

It was the Galway man’s first defence of a crown he won by beating Jon Min on June 4th.

The win, which played out in front of a passionate support, came via points after the bout went the full eight rounds.

The Oughterard graduate did have his foe hurt early on, but Saunders survived to see the scorecards, where he ultimately lost as Clancy pushed his record to 5-2-0