September 29, Hamburg, Germany:

 

WBA regular heavyweight champion [Alexander Povetkin] retained the title with a second-round tko over totally shot ex-champ [Hasim Rahman] in an embarrassing - especially for the WBA - mismatch in the headliner of Sauerland´s big show at the Sporthalle. Povetkin stunned Rahman in the first with a right-left hook combination and Hasim never really recovered or was that shaky all along.

 

 

In the second the challenger was hurt by a left hook and retreated into the ropes and stayed there, unable to move. He showed signs of life as he tried to roll under some punches but it was in fact only the ropes holding him up. Povetkin then followed up with two devastating left hooks and referee Gustavo Padilla made a very belated stoppage. This fight should never have happend. While Rahman looked shot it must be said that Povetkin looked sharp and his hooks had that snap we haven´t seen since he beat [Eddie Chambers] years ago.

 

In the co-feature "Golden" [Jack Culcay] retained the WBA I/C jr middle strap with a fifth round tko over Brit [Mark Thompson]. Culcay was the busier, quicker fighter in the first three but Thompson, who looked well prepared but a bit rusty, came on in the fourth.

 

 

Culcay opened up in the fifth and had Thompson on the ropes and Jack poured it on with the challenger taking some punches, avoiding some but not punching back. A right upercut stunned the challenger and it was stopped. Too soon it seemed but then again Thompson didn´t fire back.

 

[Kubrat Pulev] retained the EBU heavyweight title and won an IBF eliminator by knocking out supersized [Alexander Ustinov] in the eleventh. Ustinov retreated clutching his right ear, sat down and was counted out apparently with an busted ear drum.

 

 

Pulev was ahead at the time of the stoppage on scores of 98-92, 99-91 and 100-91 and was the better boxer and much faster than Ustinov who came forward with a pushing jab to land with a big bombs. Ustinov did have some success with his big punches but was overall outboxed and outhustled by a better boxer.

 

Cruiser [David Graf] floored [Marty Grainger] twice en route to a unanimous decision after six but failed to impress.

 

Lightheavy [Enrico Koelling] turned pro and won a unanimous decision over [Pablo Sosa] over six in an actionpacked fight where both went all out in a good fight.

 

Dane [Reda Zam Zam] outscored [Ciro Ciano] over six flooring him in the first in the show opener. Zam Zam showed good power but was a little to eager to land with the finisher.