Former IBF Middleweight champ Arthur Abraham became a 2 weight world champion last night after snatching the WBO belt from Robert Stieglitz in Berlin. Unusually for the Armenian he started fast and kept the pressure on albeit for the later part of each round and marked Stieglitz up during the entertaining 12 rounder.
At the end of the fight judges gave the fight to Abraham 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113 although I would have had it closer, even though I was of the few who tipped Abraham from the day the fight was announced.
“It’s such an emotional moment for me right now and I can’t really describe it,” said a touched Abraham right after the fight. “I worked hard and concentrated throughout the preparations for this chance and I boxed smart – that’s the secret of this victory.”
Stieglitz proved his sportsmanship by being a fair loser. “I have made a lot of mistakes today and from round seven onwards I wasn’t able to see properly through my left eye. Nevertheless, I continued fighting but it just wasn’t meant to be.”
All in all a great nights work by “King” Arthur and don’t be surprised to see a defence against Sauerland stablemate Mikkle Kessler before long.