Dennis McCann has clinched the British and Commonwealth super bantamweight title with an impressive win against Brad Strand. This bout took place after Liam Davies vacated the Lonsdale belt, stirring interest in the match-up. The fight showed McCann's dominant performance, highlighting his preparedness and strategic mastery inside the ring.
Ultimately, Dennis McCann was awarded a wide unanimous decision victory with judges scoring the bout 118-111, 116-111, and 116-112 in his favor. This win affirms McCann's position as both a British and Commonwealth super bantamweight champion, marking another significant milestone in his ascending boxing career.
McCann, 23, previously aligned with trainer Al Smith, underwent significant changes leading up to this victory. He trained briefly in Los Angeles before settling in Liverpool under the guidance of Joe McNally. Throughout the fight, McCann utilized a wide stance and a southpaw jab to control the pace against Strand.
Strand, 27, entered the fight as an unbeaten super bantamweight with a quality amateur background. Initially taking a more observant role, he faced challenges in finding sustained success against McCann. Despite these struggles and being visibly hurt by McCann's left hand, Strand managed his best round in the eleventh but could not overturn the direction of the bout.
The fight unfolded over several rounds with McCann establishing his dominance early on. By the second round, he had already scored a knockdown against Strand with a combination of feints and powerful strikes. McCann continued to display versatility in his attacks while maintaining patience, particularly evident in rounds three through six where he capitalized on openings and landed significant body shots.
Despite attempts to counter in later rounds, Strand struggled to match McCann’s intensity and precision. The eighth round saw McCann continuing to press forward, exploiting gaps in Strand’s defense. Even as Strand outlanded McCann briefly in round eleven forcing him onto the back foot, it wasn't enough to change the outcome.
