In a night soaked with both blood and redemption, Alan Minter silenced all doubters with a merciless eighth-round stoppage over Vito Antuofermo at the Empire Pool, Wembley. The rematch for the undisputed middleweight championship saw Britain’s southpaw maestro transform the ring into his canvas, painting a brutal portrait of dominance before a roaring home crowd.

Coming off a razor-thin split decision victory over Antuofermo just months prior in Las Vegas, Minter entered the ring with one goal—erase the controversy, and do it emphatically. With national pride on the line and a BBC audience watching live, Minter delivered the kind of performance that defines legacies.

From the opening bell, the Brit worked behind a sharp jab and pinpoint combinations that sliced through the challenger’s defence. Antuofermo, the Italian-American brawler with a granite chin and orthodox stance, came forward relentlessly but paid dearly for every inch he gained. Minter, weighing in at 160 lbs, was laser-focused, dissecting the 159¼ lb challenger with surgical precision.

It wasn’t long before Antuofermo’s face became a crimson target. His eyes were reduced to swollen slits, and the lacerations above his brows deepened with every exchange. The ringside spectators, many dressed for a night of high sport, left with shirts stained red—a testament to the savage intensity unfolding under the lights.

By the end of the eighth round, the writing was on the wall. Referee Octavio Meyran and judges Kurt Halbach and Jean Deswert had Minter comfortably ahead, their scorecards reading 80-73, 80-72, and 80-71 respectively. But it was Antuofermo’s corner who made the final call, mercifully pulling their warrior from the fray to prevent further damage.

What began as a grudge match concluded as a coronation. Alan Minter, once a question mark on the world stage, now stood firmly as the undisputed king of the middleweight division. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement, delivered with fists and finished in blood.