by James Slater: With David Haye’s move up to heavyweight, his world titles at cruiserweight were vacated. According to Fightnews.com the WBC version of the world title will be fought for by Italy’s Giacobbe Fragomeni and Czech Republic-born Rudolf Kraj. Apparently, the bout looks likely for Italy – so home advantage will go to the 38-year-old Fragomeni..
Neither fighter is an overly big name. Fragomeni, who has won both the WBC international and European titles at 200 pounds, is probably the fighter with the higher profile. The 38-year-old Italians’ great fight with the pre-world champion version of Haye, back in November of 2006, was an excellent fight. Fragomeni, who had previously beaten Haye as an amateur, gave “The Hayemaker” all he could handle as he relentlessly trundled forward. Haye’s power finally got Fragomeni out of there in the 9th round, but it had been a tough night’s work.
Since then the Italian has won four straight. Picking up the vacant EBU title last July, Fragomeni has made two successful defences. The loss to Haye is the only loss on the 38-year-old’s record, but at his current age Fragomeni is not getting any better. Not a huge puncher, the Italian tank usually has to go the distance in fights and relies on his constant pressure to achieve victory. Will this approach work against the eight years younger and good deal taller (6’1″ to 5’9″) Kraj?
Kraj, who was born in The Czech Republic but now lives in Germany, won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics and is now unbeaten at 14-0(10) as a pro. His last win, in which he earned his shot at the vacant WBC belt, was a fine points win over the previously unbeaten Matt Godfrey. A pro only since 2005, Kraj is not as experienced as Fragomeni in terms of pro bouts, but he is the younger and fresher man. He may also be the more hungry fighter of the two.
Kraj has had most of his fights in either Germany or the country of his birth, but it is unlikely he will be phased by having to travel to Italy (if he indeed does have to). Fragomeni may have had more fights, but already, just 14 fights in, in beating Godfrey, Kraj has beaten a fighter far superior to anyone the Italian has defeated. A bigger puncher than Fragomeni also (the Italian has just 10 KO’s from his 25 wins), the younger man must be made at least a slight favourite to win when the fight takes place later this summer.
I go for Kraj to win by either late stoppage or on points.