Despite a game effort from South African challenger Julie Tshabalala, World Boxing Federation Women’s World Middleweight Champion Christina Hammer impressively dominated the proceedings to retain her title with a unanimous decision on Thursday night, April 5, at the Vodova Arena in Brno, Czech Republic..
While the reigning champion had the upper hand from the beginning, she did have to work hard in every round and the lopsided scores of 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91 didn’t reflect the spirited effort of Tshabalala. Hammer improved her record to 12-0 (7), and Tshabalala dropped to 4-2-1 (1).
Hammer had predicted a knockout victory, and with this in mind Tshabalala took the fight on the inside to avoid the long range and hard straight shots from the German, who adjusted nicely and countered with hooks and uppercuts. Tshabalala had her best moments in rounds six and seven, and seemed to be catching her second wind, but Hammer was back on top in the final three rounds, making Tshabalala miss and pay for her mistakes.
As the final bell sounded the South African appeared happy to have survived all ten rounds, and there was never any doubt about who would be awarded the verdict. Christina Hammer had once again proven her superiority in the middleweight division, and status as one of the pound-for-pound best female fighters in the world.
The fight was promoted by Ulf Steinforth and his SES Boxing, and was broadcasted live worldwide on www.bild.de. The card also featured a championship fight with local hero Lukas Konecny, and the atmosphere at the Vodova Arena was electric throughout the evening.
Hammer vs. Tshabalala & Konekny vs. Larbi judges and referee announced for April 5th fights
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- World Boxing Organization (WBO), by president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the referees and judges who will work on the world title bouts between Lukas Konekny against Salim Larbo and Christina Hammer versus Julie “Queen” Tshabalala tomorrow, Thursday, April 5, at the Vodova Arena, Brno, Czech Republic.
Valcarcel reported that for the WBO Interim Junior Middleweight title between Konecny (47-3, 22 KOs) and Larbi (17-1-1, 4 KOs), the referee will be Andre Van Grootenbruel. Konekny is ranked #1 in 154 pounds and Larbi is the #10 ranked. WBO Junior Middleweight champion is Zaurbek Baysangurov.
The judges for the Konekny-Larbi fight are Paul Thomas, Manuel Oliver Palomo and Zoltan Enyedi. WBO supervisor for this bout will be Istvan Kovacs.
Meanwhile, for the Hammer’s (11-0, 7 KOs) third defense of the WBO Female Middleweight title against Tshabalala (4-1-1, 1 KOs), the referee will be Paul Thomas. The judges are Zoltan Enyedi, Andre Van Grootenbruel and Manuel Oliver Palomo. WBO supervisor will be Istvan Kovacs.
Remember the 25th Annual Convention WBO Silver Jubilee and Election to be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino from October 22 to October 26, 2012. For reservations at the Seminole HardRock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida you can call 1 800 937-0010 or access www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com. More information at www.wboboxing.com.