(JULY 26)
Susianna Kentikian won the International
German Flyweight Title in a grueling fight against Daniela Graf
at Sportschule Sachenwald near Hamburg last night. The judges
scored the fight 98-92, 98-92 and 99-91 in Kentikian's favour.
The bout was fought under
almost adverse conditions, with a temperatures close to
100, the humidity high, and in a hall lacking ventilation.
Although the score may
suggest a one sided fight, this was by no means the case.
Daniela Graf came well prepared for Kentikian's fighting
style, and managed to put up a much better defence, than
Kentikian's previous 11 opponents - nine of who were stopped
before time.
Graf, who fought 10 rounds against Julia
Sahin in October of last year, also managed to put Kentikian under
pressure throughout the bout. Kentikian probably faced more incoming
fire, than in her in all her previous fights put together. But
Kentikian's fast hands and excellent footwork made the difference in
this fight.
Kentikian piled up points on good
combinations throughout the bout, and her swift body movements made
Graf miss a lot of punches. Daniela Graf had her best moments when
she managed to get on the inside.
Followers of women's boxing in Europe
will know, that even World Championship fights does not necessarily
result in competitive and top quality boxing, but this fight for the
International German title gave the audience all that they could
wish for, in 10 fast paced rounds. Both boxers deserve a lot of
credit for producing such a riveting fight despite the adverse
conditions.
Kentikian Wins first belt
I had the opportunity to exchange a few
words with Kentikian after the fight. She told me, that the fight
had been a great learning experience for her. Her comments on the
conditions in hall was: "When I entered the ring, the heat made me
wonder if I had boxed 10 rounds already, it was very difficult to
breathe." Incidentally, this is the first time Kentikian has been
beyond 6 rounds, but she passed this tough fitness test with flying
colours.
Lukasik vs. Bojare
A second women's bout saw Karolina
Lukasik take her record to 4-0-0, by defeating a brave, but
overmatched, Olga Bojare of Lithuania in a four-round Super
Welterweight bout. Lukasik was hitting Bojare almost at will at the
end of the 3rd round, and a stoppage would have been in order. But
the gutsy Lituanian came out for the 4th round and finished the bout
standing.