MARK CHAMBERLAIN has called not only for a rematch against Jack Rafferty but for it to take place on the biggest stage possible.
Rafferty and Chamberlain went toe-to-toe in a British title classic inside Altrincham’s Planet Ice, leaving both men cut and swollen. Ultimately, Rafferty retained his British and Commonwealth super-lightweight belts after a majority draw verdict. Judges Michael Alexander and Mark Lyson both scored it 114-114, while John Latham awarded it to Chamberlain 115-114. Meanwhile, 36% of Boxing News app users had Chamberlain winning, 31% sided with Rafferty, and the remaining 33% agreed with the draw.
Afterwards, both men showed great sportsmanship in the ring but agreed that a rematch makes the most sense. Both also suggested that if Turki Alalshikh is looking to avoid “Tom and Jerry” fights then Rafferty–Chamberlain II would be a perfect fit for a Riyadh Season card.
Boxing News caught up with Chamberlain, a favourite of Alalshikh, to get his reaction to the thrilling battle.
“It’s been a gruelling 12-week camp. Miles and miles of travelling for sparring. Blood, sweat and tears in camp. The body aches. It’s all worth it. Tonight proved where I’m at. Looking forward to push on to bigger and better things.”
With “Demolition Man” Rafferty now set to get married and Chamberlain planning a long holiday, attention turned to what comes next.
“I guess we get a rematch,” Chamberlain said. “We both dug deep, proved where we’re at and proved that the rematch deserves a bigger stage.”
Chamberlain admitted he thought he “nicked it” over the 12 rounds but had no complaints with the draw.
“We know that Jack’s a tough man and he is the ‘Demolition Man’ but like I said to him at the end, ‘There was no demolition job tonight,’ and we just sort of laughed at each other.”
