Euro Sports Report
A weekly report of sports on the Continent
May 4, 1957
By Valter Meers
Johansson Stops Kalbfell on Cuts
(Gothenburg, Sweden)
Ingemar Johansson successfully defended his European heavyweight crown by stopping Germany's Hans Kalbfell in the third round of their scheduled fifteen round title match.
Kalbfell suffered a deep cut over his right eye midway through the second round which caused referee Pierre Richard to halt the action and consult with the ringside physician who allowed the match to continue. In the next round, Kalbfell's cut worsened causing stoppage of the contest at 1:51 of the third.
From the start of the bout, Johansson appeared to be in complete command. He continued to hurt the German with powerful rights to the head. Although Kalbfell didn't offer up much of a fight, it's a tribute to his chin that he remained standing for three rounds against the Swede's booming right hand.
Johansson has virtually exhausted the ranks of opposition here on the Continent, although there's some talk about a rematch with Italian champ Franco Cavicchi whom Ingo knocked out last Spetember to win the Euro crown.
Most likely, he'll be taking on the winner of the Henry Cooper-Joe Erskine British title contest which will be held later this month. According to Johansson's handlers, Ingemar will start be fighting American contenters in 1958 as part of a bid for the world title.
Cavicchi Takes Out London in Three
(Rome, Italy)
Italian heavyweight champ Franco Cavicchi totally dominated an obviously undertrained Brian London before knocking him out in the third round. Until the Bristish slugger was counted out with twenty-five seconds remaining in the third frame, Cavicchi put on a display of power and accuracy for his hometown fans.
Cavicchi, known to his partisans as the "Emilian Bull", slugged his opponent with every punch in his vast arsenal. In response, London did little but clinch and run in an unsuccessful effort to avoid the Italian's power.
Taking a rather severe beating for most of the contest, London fell to the canvas from a well-placed Cavicchi left hook. Brian made a half-hearted effort to rise when referee Alfio Lombardi reached seven but thought better of things and took the full count.
After giving a good showing in a losing effort against Joe Erskine this past March, London was somewhat of a disappointment. He scaled in at 208, which was nearly fifteen pounds more than he weighed in the Erskine match, and there was a discernable padding around his midsection.
For Cavicchi the win was impressive and can be viewed as redemption for his performance against Spain's Jose Gonzalez two months ago. In that contest, Cavicchi retired in his corner after five rounds claiming an injury to his thumb.
At twenty-nine, Cavicchi appears to be at his peak, and this was certainly underscored by his win over London. Whether or not he gets a return with Johansson remains to be seen. Regardless, he's among the today's top Eurpoean heavyweights.