By Per Ake Persson: December 16, Slagelse, Denmark: Local hero Martin Kristjansen retained the WBO I/C lightweight title on a controversial draw against Italian veteran Stefano Zoff after a fastpaced, bloody 12-rounder. Zoff made a slow a start and lost the first five rounds but started coming on in the sixth with a non-stop attack. In the third Kristjansen wasnt cut around the left eye after an accidental headclash. Zoff was cut somewhere on the scalp. In the sixth the Dane started showing signs of fatigue but kept boxing on the move..
Kristjansen was caught by a long, looping right in the seventh and went down but got up and got through the round. In the eighth the Italian poured it on to the body and Kristjansen caved in, went down on his back and looked finished but British referee Mickey Vann gave him a few seconds extra with thenItalian corner, headed by Gianluca Branco, explodingnin anger.
Kristjansen was under hard pressure as thenfight resumed but again got through the round and now even the 40-year old Zoff showed signs of fatigue. The cuts both had worsened and they picked up new cuts as well in a hardfought finish. Zoff just kept coming while Kristjansen tried to keep him off. The Italian won the final round for a total scor of 115-114 for Kristjansen, 113-113 and 114-112 for Zoff. The Italians cried robbery but it was very close with many rounds difficult to call. The EU title was also at stake but remained vacant.
Claus Bertino knocked out Steffen Nielsen in the first of a scheduled eight-rounder to win the vacant Danish heavyweight title. Nielsen caved in at the first sign of pressure and was counted out the second time he was down. He announced his retirement in the ring just after the fight had ended.
Cruiser Anders Hugger stopped Portugese Jose Manuel Barreira in the third of a scheduled six-rounder.
Johny Jensen outscored late sub Roman Dabolins from Latvia over six, cruisers.
Female bantam Anita Christensen won on points over Eva Liskova from the Czech Republic over six twos.
Jr light Ervis Masha overcame three knockdowns to get a draw against Spaniard Alex Bone Palma over six. Palma was down and out on his feet in fifth of a wild fight that saw Ervis on the floor in the third, fourth´and fifth. It was scored 58-57 for Palma and 56-56 on two cards.