Moore gains his big-fight redemption

Moore gained his revenge over Yordan Vasilev with a 58-56 points win at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.

But the Fareham braveheart had to climb off the canvas to get the decision after he was floored in the third round.

Moore was caught with a right high to the temple, which scrambled his senses.

He rode out the storm, though, and came on strong late in the contest over six rounds.

The victory erased the memory of defeat to Vasilev in 2013 for the 14-6-1 man.

Moore was stopped in nine rounds of a barnstorming contest back then.

The return never hit the same highs, but the outcome was the right one for the 25-year-old this time around.

Moore was roared on by his usual army of support who travelled to the capital to watch him on the undercard of David Haye’s contest with Arnold Gjergjaj.

He now faces a Southern Area title defence against Luton’s Michael Devine in Portsmouth on July 9.

But Moore knows he can’t afford to show the sloppiness he produced at times in his weekend victory.

He said: ‘I was pleased to get the win but I wasn’t overly happy with my performance, to be honest.

‘It was okay and I always felt I was going to win but I wasn’t exactly at my best.

‘I got caught with a shot in the third and it was a heavy knockdown.

‘I was holding on for dear life and my leg was still trembling when I came out for the fourth.

‘But I came through it and the decision was never really in doubt.

‘I know I can’t afford to be that sloppy against Michael Devine, though.

‘I believe he’s made for me, but if I box like that I will come unstuck.’

There’s little time to rest now for Moore, and he’s expected to quickly return to the gym to begin his preparations for the Devine contest.

That has the makings of an exciting contest with both men having come-forward styles and a willingness to go into the trenches.

Moore will be backed on by a big home support for that meeting, and he thanked his rowdy backing for travelling in numbers to London.

The lightweight sold £28,000 of tickets which impressed the likes of former middleweight world champion, Darren Barker, who was commentating on Moore’s fight.

Moore said: ‘I usually have some time off after a fight but I’ll be back in the gym tomorrow.

‘The support I had was mental really.

‘All I could hear was their singing and the noise being made.

‘I’m lucky to have their backing and it’s really appreciated.’