Terry Flanagan clinches WBO crown

Terry Flanagan was crowned WBO lightweight champion on Saturday night after Jose Zepeda succumbed to a shoulder injury during their fight at Manchester's Velodrome.

Mancunian Flanagan, who snuck into the MEN Arena without a ticket for Ricky Hatton's victory over Kostya Tszyu 10 years ago, brought the belt back to Manchester with an early win on a technical decision.

The 26-year-old claimed the British lightweight title with a win against Martin Gethin a year ago and on Saturday night triumphed during the second round after his American opponent sustained what looked like a bad dislocation to his shoulder and was unable to continue.

Despite Flanagan having home-town advantage, the first round was evenly contested before the Briton caught his opponent with a left hook to the body in the second.

Moments later Zepeda looked in serious trouble following a clash of arms and was in agony over a problem with his shoulder, and the bout was subsequently called off with Flanagan handed the win on a TKO.

Flanagan admitted he was confident he would go on to win the fight before Zepeda got injured and said he would be up for a rematch to prove his theory.