Boxing In Germany: Stieglitz vs. Acosta Tonight For WBO Title

Bordelandehall in Magdeburg plays host tonight to the first WBO super middle title defense of champion Robert Stieglitz, who faces Rueben Eduardo Acosta while undefeated featherweights Ina Menzer and Ramona Kuehne engage in a triple world title bout.

Stieglitz, 36-2 (22), came into possession of the WBO bauble by forcing Karoly Balzsay’s corner to throw in the towel in the eleventh frame this past August.

The 28 year old Russian had bounced back from previous stoppage losses against the only two world class opponents, Librado Andrade and Alejandro Berrio, that he’d faced.

For his first defense, Stieglitz will be facing Argentine boxer Acosta, 23-3-5 (7), who brings a seven bout win streak to the table.

But the 31 year old Mar Del Plata man has only tangled with mostly domestic level opposition during that victory run, having dropped contests to Balzsay, Anthony Mundine and Mariano Natalio Carrera in the past.

Stieglitz should win this first defense but Acosta has arguably faced the better competition and his experience could be a factor in this bout.

The top Women’s featherweight in the world, Ina Menzer, 25-0 (9), puts her WBC, WBO and WIBF belts on the line after winning all three of her clashes last year.

Menzer meets the much larger Ramona Kuehne, 15-0 (4), who generally competed as a light welter or lightweight until dropping down to super feather and feather in 2009.

The champion had two very tough fights with veteran Esther Shouten in 2009 but Kuehne has never been anywhere close to the top level of opposition that Menzer has faced since 2006.

Menzer must be careful not to get into a slugfest with the challenger but should keep her spotless record intact.