By Per Ake Persson: July 5, Halle / Westfalen: WBA middle champ Felix Sturm retained the title with an impressive display of slick, sharp boxing against American challenger Randy Griffin in the headliner of Universum´s show at the Gerry Weber Stadion. The judges scored the fight 116-112, 116-113 and 118-110. There were no knockdowns and neither man was at any time hurt. Griffin was under pressure in the last two rounds and had Sturm more power he would surely been stopped in the eleventh round. At the final bell Griffin also seemed unsteady.. Sturm was off to a good start while Griffin looked a bit rusty and unsure of what to do. The champion controlled the tempo of the fight while Griffin´s sheer agression and hard work won him a few rounds.
Sturm has now 120 days to face mandatory challenger Sebastian Sylvester, who was ringside and must have been concerned about Sturm´s speed and slick style.
Hungarian supermiddle Karoly Balzsay knocked out Argentinian Jose Alberto Clavero at 2.17 of the fifth. Balzsay was ahead on two scorcards and even on the third going into the fifth. Karoly caught Calvero with what seemed as a good right hook, the Argentinian punched back but missed and all of a sudden – several seconds after the punch had landed – seemed hurt and went down and out. Clavero was totally out if it. Balzsay, 19-0, will surely be on of the contenders for the soon to be vacant WBO title.
Middleweight Sebastian Zbik, 23-0, stopped brave but outclassed, Paraguayan Mario Alberto Lopez in the second round to retain the WBO I/C title. Zbik quickly found a home for his left hook and Lopez was hurt in the second and went down. He was unsteady as he got up but was allowed to continue. Zbik landed with two rights and Lopez went down again and as he got up it was stopped.
Vitali Tajbert retained the EU jr lightweight title with a one-sided points win over Portugese Joao Antonio Bento. It was scored 119-110, 119-111 and 120-108. Bento was outclassed but never hurt or even stunned. Tajbert can almost do it all – but lacks punching power.
Russian heavy Dennis Boytsov got a good learning fight in a ten-rounder from Dominican veteran Fernely Feliz, paced himself well, showed good power and won every round