Battered Grigorian retains WBO lightweight world title

by Ryszard Koczura

20.01 - WBO lightweight champion Artur Grigorian (36-0) defended his title for the 17th time with a majority decision over Polish prospect Matt (Maciej)
Zegan (24-1). The verdict was univocally declared controversial, but I am not sure if that wasn't a euphemism.

It was a fight between two slick southpaws. The challenger pressed the action from the opening bell, charging with superior jab and quick combos. More flexible Grigorian responded with slapping right jabs that were blocked by Zegan without much difficulty. The Pole landed harder punches, was more accurate, and controlled the fight for most of the rounds. In the 8th, an accidental headbutt opened a gash under Grigorian's left eye, and after nine rounds the champion was cut above the right eye as well. Grigorian launched desperate attack in the last two rounds but his rally brought little effect, as he was too tired to keep his mouthpiece in place let alone to knock out strong Zegan.

There were no knockdowns. Judge Levi Martinez scored the fight 114-114, while both German judges, Joachim Jacobsen and Arthur Ellensohn have it 115-113 and 115-112, respectively; the latter was either a typographic error or somebody should better revise primary school math classes. I saw the fight 117-112 for Matt Zegan, who was visibly shocked by the outcome.

During the same event, European welterweight champion Michel Trabant (38-0) defeated Frenchman Frederic Klose (31-4) with another disputed decision. The scored were 116-114, 117-113 for Trabant, and 115-114 for Klose.

Other results from the Essen card:
Bert Schenk TKO 5 Gyorgy Bugyik (middleweights)
Regina Halmich W 10 Nadja Loritz (WIBF Flyiweight Championship)
Daisy Lang D 10 Silke Weickenmeier (GBU Super Bantamweight Championship)
Konstantin Onofrei TKO 3 Marcelo Ferreira (heavyweights)
Adnan Serin W 6 Roger Foe (heavyweights)
Goran Gogic D 4 Farhat Chaanoune (heavyweights)