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Flyweight Regina Halmich mobilised a strong defence again.
The Karlsruherin defended her WIBF World Championship in her
home town Saturday night with an all through convincing performance.
The 21-year-old "Female Boxer of the Year 1996" had very few problems in
her eleventh title defense against the nine years older Francesca Lupo (Italy),
and dominated the action from the first to the tenth round.
"I feel like I'm in my living room, when I stand in the ring" is the way
the victor described her feelings during the match.
Despite this, the 1.55 m (5'0") tall and 48,4 kg (107 lbs) heavy Francesca Lupo proved worthy of her reputation as an aggressive boxer going forward
all the time. From the first bell, she went into the 2" taller title holder,
and hardly backed up, even when caught by clean shots. Regina Halmich fought
before an audience of 1300 in the almost sold out Karlsruher Rheinstrandhalle
keeping a cool head. She let the Italian miss again and again, and waited
patiently on her chance.
Contrary to her only defeat to date, against Yvonne
Trevino (USA) in Las Vegas 1995, Regina Halmich did not let herself
get into an infight. She cleverly held her opponent at a distance with her
left jab, and landed her telling hard right hook at every given opportunity.
However, even the right-left combinations didn't stop Francesca Lupo in her
attacks, but she hardly landed any telling punches herself.
After the fight, the three judges all had Regina Halmich as the winner. Two
of the three judges had her winning all ten rounds.
"Everything worked out perfectly. Regina held to our fighting tactics all
to the end" was the way her trainer Torsten Schmidt praised his prodigy,
and prophesied that Halmich will become better still.
"Regina will remain World Champion for a long time" added Roger Lutz, the
European head of the WIBF.
Only the old and new World Champion turned down the euphoria, "There is plenty
for me to improve on in all areas. It certainly isn't a routine job yet"
was the opinion of Regina Halmich. "Before the Karlsruhe audience, where
I know ten people in every row, the nervousness before the first bell is
even greater. But when the action starts, I feel good and concentrate entirely
on the opponent." |
