SportsOrbit

Ahead of the most important night of his career, Danny “Hurricane” Quartermaine has received the necessary rounds. In Birmingham on Saturday, the WBO and IBF European super-featherweight champion defeated Jayro Fernando Duran (15-39-1) in a short notice bout, winning all six rounds. His title defense against the undefeated Royston Barney-Smith in Bournemouth on July 26 is built up by that bout, which was his first since his bout with Jack Bateson was declared a technical draw last December due to a heads-up. “Danny needed to test his eye and get back in the ring,” stated coach Edwin Cleary. “He had to accept the challenge. After a lengthy absence, Danny was unable to enter the Barney-Smith altercation. “Duran is a southpaw like Royston, and Danny is a huge fan of Roberto Duran, so we chose him as our opponent!” After a potential rematch with Bateson fell through, Quartermaine, ranked No. 12 by the IBF and No. 13 in the WBO lists, accepted the Barney-Smith bout. “We agreed a rematch – in the Midlands,” Quartermaine stated. I was offered the fight in Doncaster after he told me, “It’s only fair that you came to me, so I will come to you.” The second round ended the first battle. Quartermaine stated: “Qais (Ashfaq) warned us to be caution because Jack utilizes his head when he’s in danger. I knew I was getting to him, but I didn’t think it would happen so early in the fight. It’s clear who was at fault because I was wounded beneath my eye and Jack got cut on the top of his head when he jumped in a panic. “I recall Qais saying, ‘I told you he would,’ after the fact. He always does it when sparring.