Super middleweight Fawaz Nasir improved his record to 13-2 (8) last night (April 4) in Aarhus Denmark, when he dominated Tanzanian Maneno Oswald (27-16-1, 21 KOs) before knocking him out in the second round of a scheduled six. It was an impressive display of determination and power from the 28-year-old, who’s only losses came on close decisions against undefeated Germans, Lukas Wilaszheck and WBO # 2 Sebastian Zbik in title fights..
A fired-up Nasir, fighting in his hometown for the first time in more than five years, landed his pole-like jab from the start, which paved the way for hooks and uppercuts. Oswald tried in spurts to surprise his bigger opponent, but Nasir used his reach well and countered effectively when momentarily on the back-foot. Half-way through the round Oswald landed a clean right hook, but the local hero took it well and came back with his own power-punches.
In round two the Dane gave his enthusiastic supporters what they came for, when he dropped Oswald with a right hand. The game African got up to continue, but it was only a matter of time before Nasir had him in trouble again and floored him with another combination. This time Oswald did not get up and was counted out at 1:46 of the round.
“I was aware that Oswald could be dangerous if I allowed him to be, so it was our gameplan to never let him get in the fight. As it turned out it was a pretty easy night for me, and I am happy about that. It was nice to win clearly in front of family and friends”, said Nasir after the bout.
Super featherweight prospect Kim Poulsen settled the score with tough French spoiler Tony Jourda, whom he had dropped a close and controversial decision to last year in London. This time there was no doubt, as Poulsen effectively out-boxed Jourda for a unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 60-54 for Poulsen, who improved his record to 8-1 (1). Jourda fell to 8-6-1 (2).
Jourda tried to get close to rough Poulsen up as he had done in England, but this time the Dane would have non of it, and for the most part moved away well when Jourda came forward. At times it looked as if Poulsen could have been more aggressive and followed up more when he had Jourda in trouble, but he acknowledged after the fight that he might have had too much respect for his opponent, bearing in mind their first tough encounter.
In the dying seconds of the sixth round, Poulsen did have Jourda in serious trouble, but it was too late for him to really come close to a stoppage:
“I didn’t want to give him any opportunities to ruin my rhythm as he did in London, so I guess I played it a little too safe. But I won clearly, and it’s a great burden off my shoulders to have proved that I am better than Tony. He came to fight tonight too, but I didn’t make the mistakes I made the first time, so I am happy and look forward to show in the future that I can bang a bit too. Jourda is not an easy man to fight, he is very awkward, so our gameplan was never to stop him but to outbox him. And that I did”, said a happy Poulsen.
Former world title-challenger Allan Vester had little trouble scoring a unanimous decision over dangerous African champion Hasan “The Hitman” Saku. Vester used all his savvy and experience, and moved well when Saku came charging forward, before connecting with precise counters. When realising he couldn’t catch Vester cleanly with his hard hooks, Saku tried to make it a dog-fight by hitting behind the head and using other less-flattering tactics. He was deducted a point for that in the fifth.
The cout was scored 60-53, 59-54 and 58-56, as Vester improved his record to 27-6-1 (5). Saku, ranked # 19 in the lastest WBC world rankings, saw his ledger dip to 9-4 (8).
Former European welterweight champion Christian Bladt easily overpowered Chaurembo Palasa from Tanzania, flooring him four times before the towel came flying in to the ring in round three. Bladt was just too big for the African, who came up from light welterweight, and it was one-way traffic from the beginning. Bladt is now 32-10-1 (9), and Palasa 19-15-1 (12).
A scheduled fight between IBF Intercontinental light welterweight champion Peter Semo and Pole Maurycy Gojo fell through when Semo pulled out on Wednesday with a sprained thumb. Team Vester promoted in cooperation with Risum Boxing.