Lyon Woodstock Jr reflects on Fight of the Year candidate win over Craig Poxton

Super-Featherweight talent Lyon Woodstock Jr had to overcome illness as well as the hard-as-nails Craig Poxton in Leeds.

Moving to 10-0, Woodstock outpointed Poxton in a frantic, fan-friendly contest. Speaking to iFL TV, Woodstock revealed that he had been recovering from a cold and a cough in fight week, making Saturday’s bout even tougher.

“I could’ve put a better performance on if I was 100%. I know I’m strong and fit. I’m so fit to the point that even though I am ill, I’ve still got reserves in the tank, I can still dig deep,” he stated.

“I probably didn’t have that savage killer instinct but I feel like I still put on quite a good show.”

Many observers regarded the clash as fight of the night at the FD Arena. The 24-year-old prospect picked up his second belt in successive fights, adding the WBO European Title to his Midlands Area strap he won in April.

Woodstock admitted his opponent could take a shot: “I knew he’d be a tough guy and durable, but some of the shots I hit him…I’ve got quite a good body shot, but he was really difficult to land a body shot on.

“I found some openings on the inside, when we were quite close, but other than that he was quite difficult to land on the body.”

Poxton is no stranger to a barnstormer. Back in February he halted Boy Jones Jr in the final round of their Southern Area Title fight at York Hall, which was an instant contender for Fight of the Year. Saturday was no different, and despite suffering a nasty cut above the eye in the second round, the Suffolk man battled on.

“If I wasn’t under the weather, I reckon I could’ve been able to finish him, but that’s all up for debate. I’m just here to entertain everyone, to give people a good show. I just hope that’s what everyone got,” Woodstock added.