The combat was a rematch of their bout simply over a yr in the past, when Du Plessis triumphed by way of cut up determination following a back-and-forth contest.
Strickland, 33, believes he ought to have been awarded victory that night time, however can don’t have any complaints concerning the judges on the Qudos Financial institution Area in Sydney.
Strickland, who had light-heavyweight and former middleweight champion Alex Pereira in his nook, had angered Australian media during fight week with a sequence of inflammatory feedback however was cheered by followers as he made his walkout.
Du Plessis obtained a combined reception however was not fazed as he took management of the combat within the early phases.
Strickland spent a lot of the competition methodically utilizing his jab and entrance kick, with Du Plessis delivering extra output and touchdown the extra eye-catching strikes.
The South African, who was making the second defence of his belt, combined up his kicks and punches effectively, with Strickland’s nook rising extra annoyed because the rounds slipped by.
An enormous second got here within the fourth spherical, as an enormous proper hand from Du Plessis appeared to interrupt Strickland’s nostril, seeing the American rapidly again off.
With blood gushing down his face, he confirmed outstanding toughness to outlive till the tip of the combat, however was unable to ship any vital harm to Du Plessis.
In his post-fight interview, Du Plessis took intention at Perreira, asking “is there nobody else?”, in response to the Brazilian saying beforehand he can be keen on a future matchup.
