(JAN 13) WBAN has just received
the results from Germany where
Germany-based Italian Lucia Morelli won the vacant World Boxing
Federation Women’s World Lightweight title last night. The
boxing event took place at
the Ratiopharm Arena in Neu Ulm, Germany, scoring a close
majority decision over Rola El Halabi. [The two were
also fighting for the vacant WIBA and vacant GBU lightweight
titles]
According to the WBF press release they stated the following:
"More than 5000 fans showed up to support and celebrate El Halabi,
who was miraculously returning to the ring after being shot in
hands, knees and feet by her estranged stepfather in April 2011,
but after an inspired and admirable performance it was not
enough in the end.
Both fighters started cautiously, feeling each other out, but
Morelli (18-3, 8 KOs) may have nicked most of the early rounds
by being more precise with her punches. Midway through the bout
things got more heated and the exchanges more frequent, as both
had their success.
After ten good, close rounds Morelli was declared the victor by
scores of 96-95, 97-93 and 95-95, but El Halabi must still be
considered a major winner for defying the odds and coming back
from tragedy to perform at world class level."
“I congratulate Lucia on the victory”, said El Halabi after the
fight. “She was just a little bit better than me, but I gave it
everything I had and it was not quite enough. I lost the fight,
but I gained so much and I am happy. I’m back in my life!”
When asked if she perhaps should have returned against an easier
opponent, El Halabi, who lost for the first time as a
professional (11-1, 6 KOs), didn’t want to offer any excuses for
the defeat, saying:
“I was having a hard time finding my distance and it took me two
or three rounds too long to find it, but I didn’t want to return
against an easy opponent. I wanted to fight someone as tough as
Lucia. I wanted an honest fight, and I lost honestly. That’s the
way sports should be!”
El Halabi expressed her gratitude towards the many fans in
attendance, and promised them that she would return soon and
eventually become a world champion again. Both camps expressed
interest in a rematch, and there is no doubt that the loyal fans
of El Halabi will turn out again to cheer her on.
Also on this card, super middleweight Nikki Adler won a 10-round
unanimous decision over Edita Lesnik. The two were fighting for
the vacant WIBA super middleweight title.
Lastly, Irma Balijagić
Adler won by a second round TKO over Fleis Djendi. The fight was
scheduled for ten rounds and for a title belt. WBAN learned that
Djendi was a last minute opponent. This appears at this point to
be a non-title bout. Also, Adler fights at 130, whereas Fleis
fights at 112....way out of weight class.
WBAN
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