MICHAEL CONLAN avoided a shock balls-up by stopping French hard man Sofiane Takoucht – after having two points deducted for low blows.
The Irish icon, who helped bring down corrupt judging in the amateur code following a two-fingered salute at the 2016 Olympics, snatched the tie out of the judges’ hands in the dying seconds.
The two-time Olympian looked to be coasting to a comfortable points win – despite the two separately docked points – before a late surge stunned tough Takaoucht and he was stopped on his feet for Conlan’s 14th straight pro win.
In the first York Hall fight for six months, the switch-hitting Belfast star started the fight in the orthodox stance and enjoyed instant success.
But he went up a gear when he switched to southpaw and landed a string of punishing hooks on the Frenchman’s ribs.
Conlan’s packed corner, with trainer Adam Booth and brother Jamie leading the gameplan, roared at the end of the second when a three punch combination scored beautifully but could not stop Takoucht from marching forward.
The third was a crunching session, with Conlan warned over repeated low shots and some afters beyond the bell when the ace slung an extra punch and got right in his rival’s face.
Conlan showed off sublime defensive skills in the fourth, rolling beautifully out of wild haymakers Takoucht was throwing.
But he was deducted points in the fourth and fifth for what referee Steve Gray deemed shots below the belt, despite Conlan’s protests that Takoucht’s high sparkly shorts were the problem.
A seventh round body shot was inch-perfect, though, Takoucht was gasping for air but showed incredible heart to stay upright.
Southpaw Takoucht was ragged but dangerously determined and round eight might have been one of his better shifts.
Conlan then appeared to tire for the final six minutes and looked on course for a points win.
But a late left hook scrambled Takoucht’s senses and the referee dragged Conlan off to stop the punishment.
