Boxing News Boxing News
Undefeated former European (EBA) Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham won last night the vacant IBF Middleweight Crown by KO on 5th round over his Canadian challenger Kingsley Ikeke (23-2-0/13KOs) in Lepzig, Germany, in front of 3.500 people plus some other millions of viewers on live TV coverage by ARD “das erste”.
Artur Abraham (19-0-0/17 KOs)
Abraham started the Championship with his usual Boxing strategy: left punches to the body, then coming over his opponent’s lowered guard with hard rights to the head. Ikeke’s main weapon was his long jab but it was never a factor from the beginning, meeting always Abraham’s strong defense. Ikeke expected a body attack, but Arthur feinted connecting again and again with hard shots to Ikeke’s head.
Abraham dominated clear the whole fight. In round three, he sent an ironical smile at his opponent after a successful combination, and in the fourth, he dropped his fists after Ikeke tried to provoke him. “He said to me, I should have a go at it,” said the champion later at the press conference. “And then I took down my fists, in order to show him ‘come on if you are so courageous.’ That was his psychological ploy. I wanted to show him that he cannot impress me….”
In round five the fight was over (1:46 min.) Arthur hammered Ikeke´s head with a very strong left. The Canadian fighter staggered toward the ropes, and Arthur set after him with a final series of rights. In a classic knockout, Ikeke sunk to the ground and Abraham was the new IBF Middlweight Champion.
“He is a very strong fighter and earned the win,” said Ikeke after the fight. “I had naturally visualized something else. The punch surprised me, but up until then I saw myself even….” Despite this Ikeke’s statement all three judges saw it differently – having Arthur in front on all scoring cards.
After the Championship Abraham and his trainer Ulli Wegner were overcome with emotion in the ring. Artur said then: “I have always dreamed of becoming World champion. Today my childhood dream came true. I am the happiest person in the world. These four-and-a-half rounds were the wages for four months of hard work. I want to thank the people who were so important to me on this success, my trainer Ulli Wegner and my manager Wilfried Sauerland.”
Mr. Wilfried Sauerland, President of Sauerland Events GmbH indicated there could be some exciting future for Arthur. “Naturally our center is Germany, but why not, for example while the World Cup is running, to have Arthur box in the USA? Of course, the most interesting fight for our public here in Germany would be Arthur against Felix Sturm” Mr. Sauerland said. “Sturm gives very self-confident interviews – perhaps he dares….”
We will see what happen next, however it is true that a new Boxing star has raised in Europe: ARTUR ABRAHAM !!
