The International Scoreboard

Compiled by Per-Ake Persson

12/12/2004

The International Scoreboard

Robert Stieglitz, 167,25, Ger  W12-U  Alexander Zaitsev, 168, Rus
Stieglitz, 25-0, moved closer to worldclass and retained the IBF I/C 168 lb title on scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 120-108 over experienced and still tough 34-year old ex-EBU middle ruler Alexander Zaitsev. It was a career best performance from the 23-year old Stieglitz who dominated the fight working from the outside with classic 1-2 combinations and big hooks. Zaitsev took a solid pounding but was never hurt - and while Stieglitz can punch a bit and have the speed to go with it he often punches only with the arm or just slaps and that is something he needs to work on if he is make it all the way. There were no knockdowns but Zaitsev was under heavy fire in some rounds, especially the eighth where I felt it well could have been stopped. But Alexander survived and landed his only major punch of the night in the tenth with a big right. -A few years ago any opponent would have gone down from his hooks, said his handler Igor Shaffer afterwards - and indeed, Zaitsev´s best years are behind him but matchmaker Jean Marcel Narz felt the veteran was the best possible opponent for Stieglitz at this stage of his career.

Natascha Ragosina, 167, Kaz/Ger  TKO 10 (1.14)  Yvonne Reis, 167, USA
Ragosina won the vacant WIBF I/C title in only her fourth bout by stopping outclassed American Yvonne Reis in the final round. Reis had on my card lost every round, was heavily floored in the ninth and was taking stick in the tenth when Belgian referee Roger Tilleman stepped in. Ragosina have an extensive background in kickboxing and a decent dig in her right hand but needs more experience before being moved in towards the likes of Laila Ali. Natascha´s son, about four years old, was ringside and stole the show as he entered the ring to celebrate with Mom.

Juris Boreiko, 159,25, Lat  W6-M  Marco Schulze, 157,75, Ger
Boreiko allowed the plodding Schulze, German champ at 154, to attack and then went to work using his superior speed and skills to do a number on a brave but fairly limited opponent. Schulze had big support from a number of noisy fans but went down a loser by 60-54, 58-56 and an out of line 57-57.

6x3: Ante Bilic, 154, Cro/Ger  TKO 2 (2.28)  Milan Vrsecky, 153,5, Cze
Bilic, the WBC Youth champ at 154, walked through Vrsecky with ease but had problems stopping him but after a standing eight count and a barrage of punches it was finally called off.

6x3: Alexander Borhovs, 209,5, Lat  TKO 4 (1.31) Enrico Rausch, 226, Ger
Borhovs, much smaller and not looking very fit, was dangerous with his right all along and when he finally connected in the fourth Rausch, big, muscular and tattood, caved in, after a standing eight count he was stopped on his feet looking very shaky.

6x3: Phillip Burg, 153,5, Ger  TKO 5 (2.28) Karlheinz Scheibe, 149,25, Ger
Burg, in his prodebut, wore down Scheibe for a stoppage after a standing eight count in the fifth.

Ibrahim Uzunkaya, 165,75, Ger  W6-U  Patrik Hruska, 166,5, Cze
All agreed on a 58-56 score for Uzunkaya who had his hands full with the Czech southpaw but was a little too strong down the stretch.

4x3: Fawaz Nasir, 158,75, Den  TKO 1  (2.14)  Zsolt Toth, 158, Hun
Toth, an overweight (he has fought at 130) southpaw, tried a little the first minute or so but was caught by a right upercut and a triple left hook before going down from another left hook to the body. A jab made Toth throw himself to the floor for a second knockdown and he screamed out loud when going over for the third time. This kind of meaningless mismatches takes a fighter nowhere - not even get him back after a layoff as the rust will still be there when someone stands up to him.

SES promoted the show at the Lausitz-Arena with DSF televising the mainbouts. The hall was far from sold out which was put down to Christmas shopping and general tough times in the region.