HENRY WHARTON retained his Commonwealth middleweight title for the sixth time last night when Australia's Rick Thornberry was retired on his stool at the North Gate Leisure Centre in Halifax. The official reason for the stoppage at the end of round five was a damaged shoulder but the 28 year old Thornberry was gradually overpowered by Wharton.

It will not go down as one of Wharton's most impressive nights - Thornberry was not willing to get over involved at close quarters for that to happen - but at least Wharton got the job done and preserved his World Boxing Council number one contender's position.

Thornberry, a hotel manager from Brisbane, took two counts of nine in the third and fourth round.