Karris Artingstall maintained her uneaten professional record, improving to six wins in a good developmental contest against Lila Dos Santos Furtado (9-1, 1KO) at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
A tentative round saw Artingstall open up behind the jab in the first round, and the former Olympian was boxing comfortably.
On the bell, Artingstall dropped Furtado courtesy of a long straight left hand, sending the Brazilian heavily to the canvas. Furtado claimed that the knockdown had come after the bell to end the round, but referee John Latham ignored her protests.
Artingstall resumed the action in the second on the front foot, landing the jab with ease.
Furtado was more aggressive in the third, throwing punches in combinations and making life a little uncomfortable for Artingstall, who allowed the Brazilian to work while being content to land the occasional counter left hand throughout the round.
Furtado began the fourth as she did the third, taking the fight to Artingstall and working on the inside with good variation to head and body. Then Artingstall had her head snapped back by a short left hook before attempting to counter Furtado.
The fifth saw Artingstall fight head-on with Furtado, attempting to land first and third with the Brazilian in the exchanges on the inside. Furtado didn’t stop, but Artingstall’s punches were much cleaner and more pleasing on the eye.
Artingstall regained a greater element of control in the sixth, finding space to re-establish her jab to negate Furtado's work. The momentum change continued in the seventh, with Futado tiring and refusing to march forward as eagerly as she had done in the previous round. This allowed Artingstall to re-introduce her left hand and vary her work in regard to straight lefts and hooks around the guard of the visitor.
The final round of a scheduled eight turned into a scrappy affair, with both fighters smothering their work. However, as soon as Artingstall could make space, the Olympian’s work shone brightly and her quality edged the round.
Referee John Latham scored the contest 77-75 in to Artingstall, extending her record to six unbeaten as a professional, with one win by stoppage.
