Callum Walsh beats 'Bronx Beast' Ismael Villarreal in New York

Callum Walsh defended his WBC US Silver Super Welterweight title in front of a raucous crowd at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, surviving a knockdown against 'Bronx Beast' Ismael Villarreal
to extend his winning record in the professional ranks to nine fights on a unanimous verdict.

Walsh, who had to contend with a low blow from his opponent with 10 seconds remaining in the fourth round, said the knockdown in the 10th and final round was the first he had suffered in his amateur or pro career.

The Cobh southpaw rocked Villarreal a number of times in the opening four rounds with a succession of powerful straight lefts, while a pulsating sixth stanza saw both fighters unleash a barrage of blows, with Walsh's combination in the middle of the round the most potent.

Walsh enjoyed a particularly successful eighth round, with his opponent left punching the air rather than the 22-year-old, who honed in with more heavy straight lefts.

Callum lets the hands GO! ⚡️ #HFNBoxing pic.twitter.com/1zjEElPVBB

A right hook left Villarreal wobbling in the penultimate round and despite that blip in the 10th, Walsh was rewarded for being the busier and more accurate puncher.

Max De Luca (97-92), Glenn Feldman (97-92) and Eric Marlinski (96-93) were unanimous in giving the verdict to Walsh, with CompuBox rating Walsh's total punches to his opponent's 137-88 and 100-84 in power punches.