Jamie McDonnell vs Liborio Solis for the WBA bantamweight world title ended in controversy in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Tonight’s television action from France got off to an unusual start, so to speak.

McDonnell ended up retaining his world title but not in the manner he expected or would have liked.

Challenger Solis in a rematch with McDonnell from their last fight also in Monte Carlo, exactly a year ago, got off to a fast start – backing the champion up onto the ropes.

The champion got the jab going however in the second round and started to slowly but surely find his range. Despite having a heavy blood nose at this point.

However the beginning of the end of the bout came in round 3 after both men clashed heads which opened a horrific cut over the eye of the champion McDonnell.

Both fighters traded ferociously as soon as the cut opened – but the referee had to step in to ask the opinion of the doctor who waved off the fight.

A very frustrating night for both fighters who had waited a full year for their rematch. A fight that McDonnell initially won by unanimous decision.

A part three seems likely after such an unlucky ending tonight.