8:40am Tuesday 6th July 2010
By Newsdesk
DEAN Mills, dubbed 'The Pride of Bridgwater', was unlucky to lose an epic ten-round title fight against Mark McCullough at Torquay's Riviera Centre.
Mills, aged 22, took on McCullough from High Wycombe for the British Masters lightweight title, and the pair put on an outstanding ten rounds, featuring intensity, skill, determination, and commitment, resulting in three knock downs.
Mills, weighing in at 9st 7lbs, was first to step in with fast combinations but was put to the canvas as McCullough, weighing in a pound heavier, connected with an overhand right in the last minute of the first round.
Mills claimed the next two rounds but McCullough, using the same technique, put Mills down in the fourth.
While Mills took full advantage on both occasions at the standing count, he recovered well and the intensity remained as he took the next few rounds catching McCullough with the same fast combinations to the head and body.
McCullough found himself on the canvas during the seventh round and after three more full-on intense rounds the fight came to an end.
McCullough, aged 27, said: “This makes up for several decisions that did not go my way.
“It was a close one and Dean was a tremendous opponent.”
The fight was close and should have gone to Mills, according to many of the spectators. Mills took over 50 supporters to the Riviera Centre who all thought the Bridgwater man should have won.
Mills said: “While I have watched the DVD with my trainers and was well pleased with my performance, I should have won that bout but the decision was given to Mark.
“I will have a hit at another title soon.”
Mills was sponsored by the Bridgwater Tattooist, Helen Palmer from Drove House, and Scallywag Ink.
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