Boxing: Hodkinson dethroned by Vargas

PAUL HODKINSON'S reign as the World Boxing Council featherweight champion was ended by the durable Mexican, Goyo Vargas, in a brutal contest in Dublin last night.

On level terms for the first half of the bout, Hodkinson's resistance was broken in the seventh round as Vargas mounted an accurate, sustained assault.

Vargas had the Liverpudlian down for a count of five early in the round. After two lefts from Vargas had floored Hodkinson again, his corner threw in the towel as the referee, Arthur Mercante, was moving in to save him further punishment.

Hodkinson's face was heavily marked as early as the second round as, working with the jab, he sought to cut off the repeated attempts by his opponent to engage him at close quarters.

Vargas brought quality and durability to his work. It was only the bravery of the champion, in his fourth title defence, which delayed the inevitable as Vargas rounded off an impressive performance.