Theophane stopped by Broner in world title challenge

Ashley Theophane was stopped by Adrien Broner in the ninth round of his challenge for the WBA light-welterweight title in Washington.

The 35-year-old from Kilburn felt the fight was ended prematurely when it was halted following a body shot and right hook from the American.

The referee appeared to take a gesture by Theophane complaining of an illegal blow as a sign the Londoner, who had been wobbled by a series of punches, wanted him to stop the fight.

Theophane, who had never previously lost by stoppage, took heavy shots – he was hurt in the third round and his eye was swollen by the fourth.

But he had some success in a competitive battle, particularly with a number of shots to the body.

Broner, a four-division world champion, was stripped of the title after failing to make the 10-stone weight limit.

That meant only Theophane was eligible to win the belt and the outcome means the title is now vacant.

The size difference was a factor, with the bigger man able to push Theophane back when he unloaded with shots.

But Theophane battled spiritedly and landed solid punches of his own in the three rounds before the stoppage.