Undefeated IBF middleweight champion King Arthur Abraham outclassed Lajuan Simon in Kiel on Saturday night to clinch the 29th victory in as many fights (23 KOs). Abraham connected with his trademark power punches throughout the entire 12 rounds and also knocked the brave challenger down in the third following a hard series. But Simon proved his great heart and chin as he refused to give up.
“I was surprised that he could take so many punches,” King Arthur said. “He really is a tough guy. I would have preferred to win by KO, but every victory is nice. It was a pleasure to fight in front of the great fans here in Kiel.”
The sell-out crowd of 7,000 spectators roared every time King Arthur launched one his trademark assaults. He gave a first taste in the second round before putting Simon in serious trouble in the third. After a calm fourth, King Arthur again turned it on in the fifth, landing strong punches to body and head. Simon, however, refused to go down for a second time and started to strike back. With the exception of two big lefts in the eighth round, most of his shots were absorbed by Abraham´s strong defence. “This was a great experience for Arthur,” coach Ulli Wegner said. All those early knock-out victories do not really help his development. This fight was a great test, though. He once again proved his class, like when cleverly getting out of a difficult situation in the eighth. And he bounced back in style, trying to knock Simon out in the final two rounds. I am very pleased with Arthur´s performance.”
One year ago at the same venue, King Arthur had dusted Elvin Ayala in the final round, but brave Simon would not meet a similar fate despite being on the receiving end of several huge combinations down the stretch. He remained on his feet to make his name known in Germany. “Arthur is a good champion,” Simon said. “But I am very pleased with my performance even if I did not win. I stuck to our game plan well. I will be back.” The judges scored the fight 118-109, 117-110 and 117-110 in favour of the champion. Afterwards, manager Wilfried Sauerland revealed that King Arthur´s next defence is likely to take place in the US in June. “We are trying best we can to give him big fights in America to boost his popularity on both sides of the ocean,” Sauerland said.
In the co-featured main event, Norway´s Cecilia Braekhus became Team Sauerland´s first ever female champion as she edged Denmark´s Vinni Skovgaard in their battle for the WBA/WBC female welterweight titles. The First Lady was in full control throughout the entire twelve rounds, using great movement and speed to land quick punches. She was ahead 98-92, 96-94 and 96-94 after ten rounds. “I am so happy,” she said afterwards. “I really thank Team Sauerland for this great chance. I wanted to pay back all their confidence with a victory. I could not let them down. And I could not let all my fans in Norway down, who have also been a great support.” Added Sauerland Event General Manager Chris Meyer: “We are thrilled to finally have a female champion on our team. Cecilia did very well and she will go a long way from here.” Ulli Wegner was also pleased. “I am proud of her,” he lauded. “She has worked very hard in practice and today once again proved her class. She has a golden future ahead.”
On the undercard, gifted youngster Dominik Britsch clinched the IBF Youth Middleweight Title with a unanimous points victory over Daniel Urbanski. After ten strong rounds, he was ahead 99-91, 100-89 and 98-91 on the scorecards. Also, former WBO heavyweight Lamon Brewster made a winning debut for Team Sauerland, knocking down Michael Sprott twice on his way to a clear points victory. “It was an interesting fight,” Brewster said. “It was good to get the ring rust off me. It is great to be here in Germany as part of Team Sauerland. Together, we will return to the top. Today was a good first step.”
BIG HEAVYWEIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE, ARREOLA-MCCLINE
TOMORROW, MARCH 16, SISLEY ITALIAN RESTAURANT.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27 AT NOKIA THEATRE L.A. LIVE
BIG HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHTS
PETER VS CHAMBERS & 2008 OLYMPIANS ESTRADA & JAVIER MOLINA & JOHN MOLINA, JR.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
MANADALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER, LAS VEGAS, NV
THE PUNISHER AND THE NIGHTMARE TOGETHER AGAIN!!!!
Goossen Tutor Promotions is rapidly approaching three significant dates.
Tomorrow, Cristobal Arreola and Jameel McCline will meet face-to-face for the first time to announce their upcoming WBC Continental Americas and NABF Heavyweight Championship Bout on April 11 at Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Then, in less than 2 weeks, on Friday, March 27 – Goossen Tutor Promotions is presenting the first boxing event ever to take place in downtown Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. The card, appropriately dubbed, “Nokia Knockout,” features the “Big Boys of Boxing” when former WBC World Heavyweight Champion Sam Peter (30-2, 23 KOs) looks to add another knockout victory against Goossen Tutor’s #3 IBF rated contender, “Fast” Eddie Chambers (33-1, 18 KOs). The co-main event features three other Goossen Tutor upcoming stars with Southern California’s talented John Molina, Jr. against New Jersey’s Carlos Vinan in an 8-round Junior Lightweight Bout. Also featured the same night are 2008 U.S. Olympians Shawn Estrada from East Los Angeles and Javier Molina from City of Commerce.
Click on the link below that features an interview/profile with Shawn Estrada.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=resources/vista_la&id=6709690
Right after their March 27 event they look ahead to April 11, when the “Most Feared Man in Boxing” Paul “The Punisher” Williams goes up another two weight classes to challenge “The Most Avoided Boxer” Ronald “Winky” Wright in what should literally elevate Williams as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the World with a victory.
The two-division World Champion Williams (36-1, 27 KOs) will continue his quest to accomplish what the great Henry Armstrong did so many years ago, simultaneously holding boxing championships titles in three or more different weight divisions.
Building up to the excitement of the Williams-Wright action, is the much anticipated co-main event featuring the “Baddest Heavyweight in America and the World” today, Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola (26-0, 23 KOs) taking on his biggest challenge yet in the 6-foot-7 inch, 270-pound, Jameel “Big Time” McCline. This heavyweight match will set the tone and the road for Arreola’s dream of becoming the first ever Mexican to ever become World Heavyweight Champion.
See the excitement start tomorrow March 16, when the heavyweights meet at Sisley Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks. Then it’s more heavyweights, Peter vs. Chambers March 27 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and onto April 11 at Mandalay Bay Events Center with Wright vs. Williams and Arreola vs. McCline.