Rudy Markussen (36-2, 23 KOs) scored a spectacular first-round KO victory over Michael Recloux (19-12, 8 KOs) at the TV2 Fight Night in Herning on Saturday night. In his first fight since November 2010, the “Hardhitter” wasted no time and flattened his opponent with a huge right. Recloux managed to get back up but when Markussen knocked him down with another hard series of punches, the referee stepped in (2:59). “I had prepared for eight tough rounds but I am happy I caught him early,” Markussen said. “This was a good win for me. I am pleased I showed my fans why they call me ‘The Hardhitter’ – I hit harder than anybody else at super-middleweight.”
In the co-featured main event, middleweight sensation Patrick Nielsen (11-0, 6 KOs) showed that Karsten Rower´s hard training work pays off. Nielsen cleverly picked apart Farouk Daku (12-2, 7 KOs), using his long jab and powerful southpaw left to tear his opponent down. He landed good shots in the second, and in the third round, Daku´s face was already battered. Nielsen landed a huge left at the end of the fourth that badly wobbled Daku only for the bell to save him. Nielsen continued his dominance in the following rounds and cruised to a shut-out points victory (80-72). “That was a good performance by Patrick,” Rower said. “He did was he was supposed to do and cleverly outboxed Daku. Patrick again showed his talent tonight.”
Frampton vs. Quon on Saturday
Carl Frampton’s title dream remains intact as he faces Australian champion Mark Quon for the vacant Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena on September 10, live on Sky Sports.
The bout looked in doubt after Kiko Martinez withdrew for personal reasons but the Belfast boy will get his dream hometown show as the 33 year-old Australian Super Bantamweight champ steps in for his a fantastic opportunity of his own to land the major strap.
Frampton vs. Quon is the chief support bout on the undercard of Paul McCloskey’s WBA Light Welterweight World title eliminator against Breidis Prescott, and promoter Eddie Hearn says it was important to deliver a big fight for Carl and for the fans, as promised.
“I said that Carl has trained for a big fight and that’s what he’ll get and we are delighted that he will now fight for the vacant Commonwealth strap,” said Hearn.
“This is a huge night for Irish boxing fans and there was no way we were going to let them or Carl down. Quon is a tough opponent who shares the same dream as Carl, and he will be trying to take this opportunity with both hands.”
Tickets for Paul McCloskey vs. Breidis Prescott plus full undercard featuring Carl Frampton vs. Mark Quon for the vacant Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title are available priced between at £30-£150 (tickets may be subject to service charge) and available from the Odyssey Arena Box Office on 02890 73 9074, Ticketmaster 0844 277 4455 (24 hour). Tickets are also available in person from the Odyssey Arena Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, and online from www.ticketmaster.ie.
Del Valle Wins Again!
Last night at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, NABA Featherweight champion Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (14-0, 11 KOs) continued his march up the world rankings by stopping Kenya’s Anthony Napunyi at 1:12 of the third round.
Fighting on the Zaveck vs. Berto undercard, Del Valle’s relentless precision attack, punctuated by a sharp right hand, dropped the African veteran. He rose but was rendered helpless by the follow-up barrage and was rescued by the referee.
“I’m very excited about the victory,” said the 24-year-old dynamo, post-fight. “The work I have implemented in the gym with my team paid off.”
Before the fight, Del Valle had expressed awareness of the African’s considerable strength. “Napunyi was heavy and very strong and that was the main reason why we started working the body hard in the fight. In the third round, I used his force against him and connected with the right and knocked him out, “said Del Valle.
“We were accurate in the fight, attacking the body from every possible angle until Orlandito could catch him with a fastball on the jaw and finish the fight,” said Raymond Rivera, trainer and manager of Del Valle.
The undefeated puncher from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will meet with his management and promotional duo of Gary Shaw Productions and DiBella Entertainment in the coming days, to jointly decide the next move.