Jean Baptiste Mendy vs Stevie Johnston

---

In a match between southpaws, the champion gave a lackluster performance and also had a point deducted for butting in the fifth following a clash of heads which left Johnston badly cut over the left eye. Whatever Mendy tried in the opening four rounds did not seem to work against a smaller man who stepped around him, jabbing from head to body, and generally dictated matters. Undoubtedly Mendy won the sixth and seventh as Johnston took a breather and he came again to share the spoils during the last three sessions, but it was not enough.