Boxing In Germany: Tajbert Retains WBC Title, Chagaev Wins WBA Eliminator

Stadhalle in Rostock was the scene of another big fight card as WBC super feather king Vitali Tajbert retained his title by technical decision and heavyweight Ruslan Chagaev won a WBA title eliminator.

Tajbert faced perhaps the most experienced man in the super feather division, Mexico’s iron-chinned Hector Velazquez and was making his first appearance as full WBC champion.

But the 27 year old Kazakhstan born stylist was put in an adverse circumstances almost immediately as he was forced to fight on after suffering a bad laceration above his right eye.

Tajbert was relentlessly pressured by his Mexican rival and without enough of a punch to keep Velazquez off, relied on his superior boxing skills to win rounds.

By the ninth, the cut was judged too severe for the action to continue, resulting in a 88-82, 88-83 and 87-83 technical decision victory for Tajbert, who improves to 20-1 (6). Velazquez goes to 51-15-2 (35).

Former WBA heavyweight champ Ruslan Chagaev, 26-1-1 (17), bounced back from his title fight loss to Vitali Klitschko a year ago by outpointing Kali Meehan, 35-4 (29), over 12 rounds.

Despite towering over Chagaev, 40 year old Meehan, could not get to grips with his 31 year old southpaw rival as Chagaev handily outboxed with Australian to the tune of a 118-110, 117-111 and 117-112 unanimous decision win.

Chagaev improves to 26-1-1 (17) and has now earned the right to challenge WBA champion David Haye while Meehan falls to 35-4 (29).

Ex-WBO heavyweight beltholder Siarhei Liakhovich, 25-3 (16), won the second consecutive bout of his comeback, knocking out Nicaraguan import Evans Quinn, 18-4-1 (16), in the ninth.