Boxing In Germany: Chagaev, Kotelnik Keep World Titles In Rostock

Last night at Stadhalle in Rostock, Germany, WBA Champions Ruslan Chagaev and Andriy Kotelnik retained their title belts at heavyweight and light welter, respectively.

Chagaev, 25-0-1 (17), technically a “champion in recess”, handled the challenge of previously undefeated Costa Rican Carl Davis Drumond, 26-1 (20), well, outboxing his rival until suffering a bad cut above the left eye in the third from an accidental headbutt, which forced the bout to go to the cards after the end of round six.

While Drumond had a few good moments in the third and sixth rounds, it was another good display from Chagaev as the 30 year old Uzbek southpaw was awarded a 60-54 and 58-56 twice unanimous technical decision victory and will likely face the “other” WBA champion, Nicolai Valuev, in a rematch this summer.

33 year old Drumond suffers his first defeat after four years as a professional.

The thriller of the evening turned out to be the chief support contest, which saw WBA Light Welter titlist Kotelnik, 31-2-1 (13), take the role of bullfighter against the big punching charges of Argentina’s Marcos Rene Maidana.

Maidana, 25-1 (24), aptly displayed the form that earned him 25 straight victories coming into this title challenge but couldn’t find the target as easily when faced with the world class defensive and countering skills of Kotelnik.

It was a risky fight for the native Ukrainian, but Kotelnik managed to stay one step ahead of the challenger and pick up the close split decision victory after twelve rounds, taking two of the cards 115-114 and 115-113 while Maidana won the third 115-113.

Heavyweight Denis Boystov, 24-0 (19), made short work of American import Israel Carlos Garcia, 19-3 (11), to annex the vacant WBA Intercontinental belt after posting a second round stoppage.

Another unbeaten heavyweight was successful of the undercard as Mariusz Wach, 20-0 (8), won a six round unanimous decision against Remigijus Ziausys, 7-19-1 (5).