Bakhodir Jalolov drops Solomon Dacres in fifth but wins on points at O2 Arena

The double Olympic champion took a wide decision over the West Midlands fighter with scores of 99-91, 99-90 and 99-90, but again failed to force a stoppage. Dacres fell to 10-2.

Two-time Olympic champion Bakhodir Jalolov stayed unbeaten with a 10-round decision over West Midlands fighter Solomon Dacres at London's O2 Arena. He put Dacres down in the fifth round but could not finish the job. The judges scored it 99-91, 99-90 and 99-90.

Dacres was the toughest opponent of Jalolov's professional career. The Uzbek had been criticised after his previous UK appearance, against Agron Smakici in May, for his reluctance to push for a stoppage. The same issue followed him again in London.

Jalolov, 32, pressed from the opening bell and backed Dacres, also 32, into a corner, where he missed with a looping left hand. He landed the same punch in the second round. Dacres absorbed it, although the crowd reacted loudly to the impact.

A straight left dropped Dacres early in the fifth. Jalolov did not follow up, and Dacres got back to his feet and saw out the round.

For much of the remaining contest, Jalolov stepped in to land his jab and then moved back out of range rather than planting his feet. When he did press forward he hurt Dacres, most notably in the ninth round, but the stoppage never came.

Dacres dropped to 10-2 (3 KOs) with the defeat.

Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing

Add Combat Sports UK as a preferred source on Google