Stieglitz Shocks Abraham In Rematch For WBO Title

ByHermann Helmut

Seven months after losing his WBO super middleweight title to Arthur Abraham, Robert Stieglitz turned the tables on his rival, producing a surprising result last night at GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, Germany.

Looking at least one weight class larger than former longtime IBF middleweight king Abraham, Stieglitz used his Armenia born opponent’s slow starting style to good advantage, immediately attacking Abraham.

Abraham, who had previously bossed Stieglitz in their first bout, looked shocked to be subjected to a physical assault as local man Stieglitz was successful in looping right hooks around Abraham’s high guard.

The champion came out much more active in the second frame, winging shots and backing off Stieglitz, who managed to avoid any damage and put Abraham on the ropes.

Stieglitz charged in often head first and soon Abraham’s eye was swelling. With hampered vision, the champion was increasingly getting hit by the right hand of Stieglitz.

The challenger was in form control by the third and things only got worse for Abraham when he lost a point for rabbit-punching. The champion was still getting nailed by rights and soon was on shaky legs, backing onto the ropes again, looking to survive.

Abraham made it through the round but just as the fourth started, time was called to bring Abraham and his damaged eye over to the ringside physician, who stopped the contest at 0:01 of the fourth, ending in a TKO victory for Stieglitz.

Stieglitz gains revenge, regains the WBO crown and reworks his resume to 44-3 (25). Abraham goes to 36-4 (28) as his four contest win streak comes to a halt.

Chief support was provided by former world light middle title challenger Lukas Konecny, 49-4 (23), who captured the vacant WBO European middleweight belt by technical decision when he suffered two cuts in the seventh from head clashes against French champ Karim Achour, 14-4-2 (3).

At flyweight, Melissa McMorrow, 9-3-3 (1), won a split decision against Nadia Raoui, 15-2-1 (3), for the WIBF and WBO Female titles.

Heavyweight contender Robert Helenius, 19-0 (11), won a 10 round UD over veteran Michael Sprott, 37-20 (17), while super middle George Groves, 18-0 (14), nearing a world title bout, produced a second round stoppage against outgunned opponent Baker Barakat, 37-14-4 (25).