Top middleweight Arthur Abraham (32-2, 25 KOs) bounced back from two straight losses to TKO Stjepan Bozic (24-5, 15 KOs) in the second round Saturday night at the RWE Sporthalle in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. The bout lasted a total of eight minutes with Abraham much more active early on, something that the fighter is not known for. In the second round Bozic suffered an injury to his right hand and went to a knee. It prompted referee Daniel Van de Weile to stop the bout to the dismay of the crowd. Abraham was declared the winner and will next face WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward in the semi final of the Showtime Super Six in May.
Yoan Pablo Hernandez (24-1, 13 KOs) is the new WBA Interim Cruiserweight Champion after stopping Steve Herelius (21-2, 12 KOs) in the seventh round. The hard-hitting Cuban knocked the Frenchman down twice – first with a thunderous right and then with a series of punches before the fight was waved off. “This is like a dream coming true,” Hernandez enthused. “I have worked very hard to become champion. I am very happy and proud.”
Hernandez made good use of his advantage in reach as he wisely fired his jab, while Herelius was dangerous in the infight. In the break between the fourth and the fifth round, there was a delay as Herelius seemed to have a problem with his foot. However, he shook off the injury and continued, launching furious attacks in the fifth, but Hernandez defense stood tall. The Cuban regained the upper hand and eventually ended the fight in style in the seventh round.
In the second cruiserweight world title fight of the night, Steve Cunningham (24-2, 12 KOs) retained his IBF Title with a unanimous points victory over Enad Licina (19-3, 12 KOs). The brave mandatory challenger had his moments, especially early in the fight, before Cunningham´s superior boxing skills and technique helped him to take control. He was up 118-110, 117-111 and 115-113 after twelve action-packed rounds.
