McCullough pushed Larios to the limit with a gutsy performance
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Belfast fighter Wayne McCullough saw his bid for the WBC super bantamweight title end in a unanimous points defeat against Oscar Larios in California.
McCullough gave an intrepid display, and the scoring of 118-109 118-110 116-111 did not reflect a tight bout.
Six years older than his opponent, 34-year-old McCullough made the better start with a flurry of fine punches.
But he tired in the final third of the contest and did well not to succumb to a fierce 10th round battering.
McCullough has had only two competitve rounds in two years since a comprehensive defeat at the hands of WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison.
But his wholehearted performance left Larios noticeably relieved to retain his title after the gruelling tussle.