Boxing In Germany: Cunningham Regains IBF Title Against Ross

Last night at Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, America’s Steve Cunningham recaptured his IBF cruiserweight title when opponent Troy Ross of Canada suffered an injury and could not continue after four rounds were completed.

Cunningham, who was dethroned by Tomasz Adamek in 2008, earned the opportunity to face former Canadian and Commonwealth king Ross by outpointing Wayne Braithwaite a year ago but showed no ill effects from 11 months of inactivity.

For Ross, this was a crash course in world class boxing as the taller Cunningham unexpectedly fought against type and took the action to the southpaw.

This worked for Cunningham in the first two rounds but by the third frame, Ross was starting to land with the left, one of which sent the American to the floor in the fourth.

Cunningham wasn’t hurt and beat the count. Near round’s end, Ross suffered a badly cut lower left eyelid which was deemed too severe for the fight to continue at the start of the fifth frame.

Cunningham wins the IBF title once again, improving to 23-2 (12) while Ross sees the end of an 11 bout victory parade, falling to 23-2 (16).

Due to the competitiveness of the bout and abrupt ending, there could be a rematch in the works.

There was another world title bout on the bill as IBF middleweight titlist Sebastian Sylvester tangled with ex-IBF light middle boss Roman Karmazin.

The 37 year old Karmazin was engaging in his first world title contest since losing his IBF belt to Cory Spinks by split decision in 2006 and the Russian born American resident made the most of his opportunity.

Sylvester was put on the defensive by Karmazin and it was a difficult bout to score with both men having moments of success and high activity.

After 12 rounds, neither man was declared the winner via a very confusing 118-111, 111-117 and 114-114 draw verdict.

Sylvester, 33-3-1 (16), retains the IBF crown for the second time while Karmazin drops to 40-3-2 (26).