Date: Saturday, February 21, 2015
WBO SUP. MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: 02 World Arena, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany
Promoter: Sauerland Event / Wilfried Sauerland
Supervisor: Istvan Kovacs
Referee: Raul Caiz Sr.
Judges: Glenn Feldman 116-112; Gerardo Martinez 117-111; Robin Taylor 117-111
Results: The Champion Arthur Abraham retains the WBO Sup. Middleweight Title against the challenger Paul Smith, by Unanimous Decision.
TV: Germany SAT 1
Credit: Photos by Getty Images
Abraham has successfully retained his WBO World Super Middleweight Championship following the fight
Arthur Abraham retained his WBO super middleweight belt by defeating Paul Smith of England by unanimous decision for the second time on Saturday.
The judges scored their rematch 116-112, 117-111, 117-111 in favor of Abraham, who again dominated in the face of a spirited challenge from Smith.
Smith was angered to lose their first bout in September in Kiel, Germany, but there could no doubt about the winner here.
Germany’s Arthur Abraham lands a punch on his opponent Paul Smith of Great Britain
The Armenian-born German seemed comfortable taking Smith’s punches and was more effective with his own, delivering punishing barrages that the Liverpudlian did well to weather.
Smith came out on the front foot, landing with the jab and throwing a useful combination on the ropes but it was nothing to trouble Abraham who landed a left of his own at the end of the first.
Abraham was more aggressive in the second as he targeted the body with both men throwing some wild punches as the third came to a close.
Smith was the first man to look hurt in the fourth and his legs appeared shaky after a barrage of shots ending with a right hook, but the Liverpudlian responded well before the champion unleashed a flurry of blows to the head as the round wound down.
The German had Smith on the ropes again early in the fifth with a flurry of punches but the challenger managed to block the majority of them. Abraham was growing in confidence now and dropped his gloves to invite Smith on before going back on the front foot and landing with more frequency.
Abraham gave an assured performance and won a unanimous decision against the challenger
Smith hits Abraham with a strong uppercut during their fight in Berlin
The momentum was with Abraham but Smith is made of stern stuff and a big body shot appeared to rock his opponent, sending Abraham into his shell for the remainder of the sixth.
Both men appeared to be tiring early in the seventh but a combination from Abraham sparked Smith to life with the Briton landing more body shots but a good left from Abraham in the closing stages rocked Smith again.
Abraham appeared to be growing in confidence and was beginning to get through with more punches on the ropes and the challenger kept going back to the body as he was getting little joy with the jab.
The German landed a good right hand just over a minute into the ninth and it was looking likely that the scorecards were getting away from Smith going into the last three rounds.
Abraham kept coming forward in the 10th and landing with more and more regularity, a big right hand wobbling Smith who was looking weary but still battling against the man three years his senior.
Smith seemed to find something else in the next but Abraham was sitting back now, clearly sensing that the job was done, and the German cruised through the last to retain his title.
Abraham improved his professional record to 42-4 (28 KOs) after making the third defense of the title he won back from Robert Stieglitz by split decision in March 2014. Meanwhile, Smith dropped to 35-5 (20 KOs).
After the match, Abraham poses with his belt in his dressing room in Berlin
(Photo Credit: Sebastian Heger) —
Arthur Abraham (41-4, 28 KOs) and Paul Smith (35-4, 20 KOs) came face-to-face at today’s final press conference ahead of their WBO World Super Middleweight Championship rematch on Saturday night at the O2 World in Berlin, Germany.
‘’I know what I need to do,’’ announced the reigning WBO Champion Arthur Abraham. ‘’On Saturday night, I will get the job done. My hand will be raised and the title will remain round my waist!
‘’Smith fought well in our last fight, but can he do it again? I’ve trained harder this time round. I’m in better shape and will show my true potential. He is going to be in for a tough night. I can’t promise a knockout, but I can promise that I will do everything in my power to give the fans a spectacular finish.’’
The challenger, Smith is taking confidence from their first encounter and is also promising an improved performance as he attempts to dethrone ‘King Arthur’ in their world championship rematch.
‘’I’m ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get the win,’’ said Smith. ‘’I’m fit, I’m strong and I‘ve sparred very well. I know I‘ve got what it takes to defeat him. Abraham can be fitter and stronger this time around, any fighter can do that, but he cannot add anymore strings to his bow, he’s not that type of fighter, that type of man or that type in the gym. What he does is incredibly effective, it’s won him many, many World title fights and I respect him massively, but there’s not going to be anything new from him. I’m here to crash the party and prove I belong at the top!’’
Said promoter Kalle Sauerland: ‘’Fans can expect another enthralling fight between these two world-class athletes. Arthur is in great shape and is fired up for this WBO World Championship rematch. He wants to beat Smith, and beat him convincingly, as he knows victory will bring him closer to the fights he craves.’’
Judgement Day: Abraham vs. Smith II is available to watch live on Sat.1 in Germany and Sky Sports in the UK. Tickets are available via http://www.tickethall.de.
http://www.sauerlandpromotion.com/news/judgement-day-abraham-vs-smith-ii–final-press-conference
(Photo from Google images/ringtv.com)
WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham is annoyed by insinuations that he won his first fight with Paul Smith by a bad decision rendered by judges Waleska Roldan (117-111), Fernando Laguna (119-109), Zoltan Enyedi (117-111). “King Arthur” says plans to defeat Smith decisively when they meet again on February 21 at the o2 World Arena in Berlin, Germany.
“I want to clarify once again clearly who is the champion here,” said Abraham. “Paul Smith had a good performance in the first fight, I was just better. Why there was all this whining in the English media about a bad decision I don’t understand. Neither I nor the promoter choose the judges. Like the last time, they are chosen by the world federation.”
As for Smith’s assertion that the immediate rematch was granted because Abraham was ashamed of getting the decision in the first fight, Abraham stated, “That is absolute rubbish! Smith only wants to provoke me. He should train hard because in the rematch I will show no mercy. Actually I just want to prove it to the English press who made the first fight into a scandal.”
http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/abraham-smith-will-not-see-12th-round-278725
Showing no fear of pain! Germany’s WBO Super Middleweight Champion Arthur Abraham, looks to strike an intimidating pose with barbed wire at his training camp, in preparation for defence of his title at the O2-World in Berlin later this month. Fortunately for his opponent, Britain’s Paul Smith, it’s staged and the blood and wire are fake!
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
WBO SUP. MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Promoter: Sauerland Events / Wilfried Sauerland
Supervisor: István Kovács
Referee: Robert Byrd
Judges: Waleska Roldan (117-110); Fernando Laguna (119-109); Zoltan Enyedi (117-111)
Results: The Champion Arthur Abraham retained the WBO Sup. Middleweight Title against Paul Smith by Unanimous Decision.
TV: Germany ARD, Hungary Sport 1
By Per Ake Persson –
Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany – In a much tougher fight than expected, Arthur Abraham (41-4, 28KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over Paul Smith (35-4, 20KOs), who holds the British title. The fight was much closer than the scorecards would indicate, as the judges had it 117-111, 117-111 and 119-109 for the champion.
To this reporter, Abraham sealed the win with a strong finish. Abraham had a controlled strategy and paced himself carefully while Smith waited and allowed the champion to dictate the pace. Smith had a good start working well off the jab but Abraham had a good fifth and from then on the Englishman had problems getting into the fight. Abraham showed a good jab, but Smith often targeted the body with very good hooks.
The many Brits in attendance bood the decision and it did indeed looked closer than the judges had it but Abraham was the stronger man in the championship rounds.
Athur Abraham (40-4, 28KOs) and Paul Smith (35-3, 20KOs), and other fighters from the undercard, were training hard for the fans and press. This coming Saturday night in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany – Abraham will defend his his WBO super middleweight championship for the second time against Smith, who hopes to claim the title and bring it back to the UK. Abraham’s career is back on track after recapturing the title in March with a trilogy win over Robert Stieglitz.
http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-arthur-abraham-paul-smith-working-battle–82480
Photos: Sebastian Heger –
On Saturday night ‘King’ Arthur Abraham (40-4, 28 KOs) defends his WBO World Super Middleweight crown against former British Champion Paul Smith (35-3, 20 KOs) in Kiel, Germany.
At today’s final press conference the WBO Champion revealed his future is bound to that of his legendary coach Ulli Wegner and made clear his plan to prove his worth by stopping Smith at the Sparkassen-Arena. ”When Mr Wegner decides to call time on his career, I will follow him,” said Abraham. ”I wouldn’t want to train with anyone else. On Saturday it is my job to show him that there is still much more we can achieve together. I will do this by beating Smith in style.”
”Arthur has the ability to beat anyone in his weight class,” said Abraham’s 72 year-old coach Wegner. ”He just needs to live up to his potential. The most important thing for him to do is follow my instructions. If he listens to what I tell him the fight won’t go the distance, he will knock Paul Smith out!”
Smith will be counting on the support of his 2,000 traveling fans when he attempts to cause an upset by dethroning ‘King Arthur’ on his home turf. ”This is my first and last chance to become World Champion,” said Smith. ”I will not let this opportunity slip through my hands. I have had the best training camp ever and my coach Joe Gallagher has devised the perfect game plan. Now it is up to me. I’m going to grab this opportunity and the title with both hands!”
”Arthur is a tough nut to crack,” said Smith’s coach Gallagher. ”But Paul has reached new levels in training and I believe he has the power to force an early stoppage. There are going to be fireworks from the first bell to the last. This could well be a contender for fight of the year.”
http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/abraham-smith-final-press-conference-262241
Team Sauerland has announced a long-term cooperation with Vincent Feigenbutz (14-1, 13 KOs), one of German boxing’s most exciting young talents. Having turned professional at the tender age of sixteen, the Karlsruhe-based super middleweight has built a reputation as a fearsome puncher. Said promoter Kalle Sauerland, “The power this young man boasts is scary. With his power and aggressive fighting style, he has the makings of a real fan favorite.”
The nineteen year-old’s explosive knockout power will be on display again on September 27 at the Sparkassen-Arena in Kiel, Germany. An opponent for Feigenbutz, who is going to defend his WBO Intercontinental title, will be announced shortly. In the main event, WBO super middleweight champion Arthur Abraham will try to fend off another challenger in Paul Smith.
http://cdn.fightnews.com/Boxing/ko-artist-feigenbutz-signs-with-team-sauerland-261148
By: Will Esco –
Arthur Abraham will be making the second defense of his WBO super-middleweight title against Paul Smith.
The bout between Abraham and Smith was announced yesterday and will take place at the Sparkassen-Arena in Kiel, Germany, on Sept. 27. Sauerland Event promoter, Kalle Sauerland, made the annoucement and offered the following words:
”We are delighted to announce this world championship fight between ‘King’ Arthur Abraham and Paul Smith. There is a lot on the line for both men and I am sure this will make for a great spectacle on Sept. 27,” Sauerland said. “Smith has been waiting a long time for this opportunity and I fully expect him to do everything he possibly can to cause an upset. However, he is facing a dangerous Abraham, a hungry, in-form Abraham, who is looking to cement his position alongside the very best at the top of the super middleweight division.”
After winning back his WBO title from Robert Stieglitz in March, Abraham made his first successful title defense by beating Nikola Sjekloca two months later in a unanimous decision victory in May. Abraham is now looking forward to repeating some of his good fortune in Kiel.
‘This will be my fourth ring appearance in Kiel. I have won here three times before, two of them by knockout,” Abraham said. “My fight on Sept. 27 will be the first time I’ve defended my WBO super middleweight belt here and there is no way I am going to lose. I will retain my world championship and continue my winning streak at the Sparkassen-Arena.”
This will be Paul Smith’s (35-3, 20 KOs) first title shot and he hopes to make the most of it. He previously had a stint on “The Contender” reality series but the most notable opponents on his resume are James DeGeale and George Groves, both of whom knocked him out. Smith is, however, coming off a four-fight win streak, but against extremely low-level opposition that’s not exactly awe-inspiring. I mean one of his recent opponents, Jamie Ambler, has an incredible record of 10-52-2. ‘Nuff said.
Paul Smith is still excited for the opportunity anyways:
‘I am thrilled that the fight with Arthur Abraham has been confirmed,” Smith said. ”Arthur is a great champion, a real gentleman and a brilliant ambassador for the sport. I do believe that our styles will make for a great fight, but I just think that I am getting him at the right time. I know I can beat him and have seen things in him that I can capitalize on. I am sure it will be a spectacular show and I’m proud to be fighting for a world title over in Germany.”
Well what else did you expect him to say?!
http://www.badlefthook.com/2014/7/21/5922789/arthur-abraham-vs-paul-smith-sept-27th