07.05.05 – Risum Boxing-managed cruiserweight Lasse Johansen (11-0, 7 KOs) upset the applecart, when he outclassed home-favourite Lubos Suda (now 9-1, 8 KOs) on Friday night (May 6) in Brno, Czech Republic to capture the vacant IBF International crown. Scores after twelve rounds were 118-110, 117-111, and a ridiculous 114-114 by an Austrian judge who must have dosed off for the 47 minutes the bout lasted..
The Czech promoters were hoping to stage a hugely anticipated clash between compatriots Suda and Roman Kracik in the fall, but the Danish underdog probably ruined that plan with his masterful performance at the Boby Centrum Hotel’s Laser Show Hall. Johansen was on top of his game from the first bell, and peppered Suda with quick jabs all night, and mixed in some excellent combinations to body and head. The local hero was always dangerous though, and his tremendous punching-power was always a factor to be considered, even if he himself looked hurt a few times.
But Johansen was too smart, and he followed the tactics laid out by trainer Brian Mathiasen to a tee. This was the Scandinavians first twelve rounder, but he passed the test with flying colours, and halfway through the fight it became clear that Suda needed a knockout to salvage victory. But he never looked close to getting that knockout, and after the final bell there was no doubt in Johansen’s corner that the belt would go back to Denmark with them.
“This was a fantastic performance by Lasse, who without a doubt fought the fight of his life. But a lot of credit has to be given to trainer Brian Mathiasen, who acted as Lasses main sparring partner up to this fight. It was difficult to get sparring for Lasse, so Brian put on the gloves himself and actually did a brilliant job. Lasse was very happy with the work Brian gave him, and something like this cant have happened too many times before. Especially not with the outcome turning out so excellent, and I really think it’s amazing,” says manager Henrik Risum.
Johansen and his team have already been offered a rematch with Suda, but the victory will now get him in the European and WBC world rankings where Suda was previously placed, just as the IBF will now rank him somewhere between number 15 and 30, so many possibilities will probably be available to the 29-year-old Dane.
When Johansen arrived in Prague Wednesday afternoon, and in Brno on Thursday, nobody in the Czech republic knew who he was. Friday around midnight he was embraced by the country’s boxing enthusiasts as one of they’re own, and posed for photos and signed autographs until his right hand was hurting. Lasse Johansen went “from Zero To Hero” in Brno, despite having beat the local fans idol…