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kenyan_cheena · 11-10-2009, 09:18 PM

Melbourne Herald-Sun

THURSDAY 14 DECEMBER 2006

Melbourne slugger Somogyi
wins I-C title in Germany

Story by Les Hayes

Melbourne light-heavyweight boxer Mark Somogyi scored a convincing 12-round unanimous decision win over Germany's Klaus Bierhoff last night to win the International Boxing League's Inter-Continental Championship. Fighting in Bierhoff's backyard at the Olympiahalle in Munich Somogyi was completely unfazed by the hostile crowd on the way to the biggest win of his young professional career to date, taking the verdict by scores of 118-112, 117-113 and 119-110. There were no knockdowns but one look at Bierhoff's face after it was all over was enough to show that he'd been completely outfought. He wore some nasty swelling under his right eye, a result of the many jabs and left hooks Somogyi landed. The tournament 6th seed connected with 294 of 918 punches (32.0%), Bierhoff 180 of 778 (23.1%).

Despite Bierhoff's superior experience and his #1 seeding Somogyi came into the evening as a slight favourite, his brilliant form through the earlier tournament bouts winning over many observers. He vindicated them by coming out and controlling the opening three rounds, working from the outside and picking off the German with that piston-like left jab. Bierhoff woke from his slumber in the 4th, taking the round with a more aggressive mindset. The action slowed during the 5th, 6th and 7th, Somogyi content to frustrate Bierhoff and keep him out of range. Despite doing barely enough during those rounds Somogyi stretched his lead on two scorecards. If anyone in the crowd still believed their man was a chance those hopes were extinguished in the 8th when Somogyi stepped up a gear and punished Bierhoff, landing a pair of jolting rights and a neck-snapping uppercut late in the frame.

Bierhoff never gave up but his quest proved a futile one as Somogyi was able to handle everything thrown at him through the final four rounds. It was hard to believe that Somogyi came into the fight having been involved in less than half as many contests as Bierhoff, his assuredness and confidence making him appear to be the more seasoned combatant. Many fighters in the past have left Germany and returned home with claims of highway robbery but that wasn't the case last night, Somogyi's winning verdict a clear and comfortable one. He'll take on England's Alexander Lucas in his first title defense, the bout to be a rematch of their memorable tournament semi-final bout from September in which Somogyi scored a 6th round knockout.

Lucas eeked out a split decision win over the Frenchman Petite Fourie in the co-feature to earn the title shot. He rallied superbly through the final four rounds to take a 96-95, 94-96, 96-94 verdict. After a dominant opening Fourie was in complete control heading into round seven but he made the lethal mistake of easing off too early, allowing Lucas to steal the victory. He swept rounds seven to ten on two scorecards and won the 8th, 9th and 10th on the other. The Englishman's camp celebrated as if they'd won the championship itself when the verdict was announced. Fourie has now fallen to defeat in two consecutive bouts after being in a position to win both of them. In his tournament semi-final against Bierhoff he led by four points on two scorecards with two rounds remaining but lost on cuts in round nine. Last night's defeat would have been just as, if not more disappointing as Fourie was ensconced in the driver's seat and only needed to keep doing what he'd been doing to win.

It's very likely that the Somogyi-Lucas rematch will be held at the same venue as their first clash, the Rod Laver Arena. What is certain is that it'll take place in mid-February. Somogyi has expressed on more than one occasion that his sole ambition for 2007 is to retain the Inter-Continental Championship the required five times to earn himself a shot at the IBL's world title. Hopefully he can complete the first part of that quest when he steps in the ring against Lucas come February.

---

IBL Light-Heavyweight
Inter-Continental Championship tournament final

(#6) Mark Somogyi (12-0(9)) UD12 (#1) Klaus Bierhoff (25-3(18))

11-10-2009, 09:18 PM	#627 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 7,599 Thanks: 83 Thanked 143x in 125 posts	Melbourne Herald-Sun THURSDAY 14 DECEMBER 2006 Melbourne slugger Somogyi wins I-C title in Germany Story by Les Hayes Melbourne light-heavyweight boxer Mark Somogyi scored a convincing 12-round unanimous decision win over Germany's Klaus Bierhoff last night to win the International Boxing League's Inter-Continental Championship. Fighting in Bierhoff's backyard at the Olympiahalle in Munich Somogyi was completely unfazed by the hostile crowd on the way to the biggest win of his young professional career to date, taking the verdict by scores of 118-112, 117-113 and 119-110. There were no knockdowns but one look at Bierhoff's face after it was all over was enough to show that he'd been completely outfought. He wore some nasty swelling under his right eye, a result of the many jabs and left hooks Somogyi landed. The tournament 6th seed connected with 294 of 918 punches (32.0%), Bierhoff 180 of 778 (23.1%). Despite Bierhoff's superior experience and his #1 seeding Somogyi came into the evening as a slight favourite, his brilliant form through the earlier tournament bouts winning over many observers. He vindicated them by coming out and controlling the opening three rounds, working from the outside and picking off the German with that piston-like left jab. Bierhoff woke from his slumber in the 4th, taking the round with a more aggressive mindset. The action slowed during the 5th, 6th and 7th, Somogyi content to frustrate Bierhoff and keep him out of range. Despite doing barely enough during those rounds Somogyi stretched his lead on two scorecards. If anyone in the crowd still believed their man was a chance those hopes were extinguished in the 8th when Somogyi stepped up a gear and punished Bierhoff, landing a pair of jolting rights and a neck-snapping uppercut late in the frame. Bierhoff never gave up but his quest proved a futile one as Somogyi was able to handle everything thrown at him through the final four rounds. It was hard to believe that Somogyi came into the fight having been involved in less than half as many contests as Bierhoff, his assuredness and confidence making him appear to be the more seasoned combatant. Many fighters in the past have left Germany and returned home with claims of highway robbery but that wasn't the case last night, Somogyi's winning verdict a clear and comfortable one. He'll take on England's Alexander Lucas in his first title defense, the bout to be a rematch of their memorable tournament semi-final bout from September in which Somogyi scored a 6th round knockout. Lucas eeked out a split decision win over the Frenchman Petite Fourie in the co-feature to earn the title shot. He rallied superbly through the final four rounds to take a 96-95, 94-96, 96-94 verdict. After a dominant opening Fourie was in complete control heading into round seven but he made the lethal mistake of easing off too early, allowing Lucas to steal the victory. He swept rounds seven to ten on two scorecards and won the 8th, 9th and 10th on the other. The Englishman's camp celebrated as if they'd won the championship itself when the verdict was announced. Fourie has now fallen to defeat in two consecutive bouts after being in a position to win both of them. In his tournament semi-final against Bierhoff he led by four points on two scorecards with two rounds remaining but lost on cuts in round nine. Last night's defeat would have been just as, if not more disappointing as Fourie was ensconced in the driver's seat and only needed to keep doing what he'd been doing to win. It's very likely that the Somogyi-Lucas rematch will be held at the same venue as their first clash, the Rod Laver Arena. What is certain is that it'll take place in mid-February. Somogyi has expressed on more than one occasion that his sole ambition for 2007 is to retain the Inter-Continental Championship the required five times to earn himself a shot at the IBL's world title. Hopefully he can complete the first part of that quest when he steps in the ring against Lucas come February. --- IBL Light-Heavyweight Inter-Continental Championship tournament final (#6) Mark Somogyi (12-0(9)) UD12 (#1) Klaus Bierhoff (25-3(18)) __________________ The Greatest Prize in Sports (a TBCB Dynasty) The Greatest Prize in Sports: Almanac kenyan_cheena's NBA 2K11 Off Topic Dynasty Major League Baseball: 1990 and Beyond... (an OOTP11 Dynasty) Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 11-10-2009 at 09:36 PM.