Official Press Release Universum
Box-Promotion
Eddy Smulders stops Mike Pearman
HAMBURG, 24 October 1998. In his second comeback fight after a one year break two-time
European light heavyweight champion Eddy Smulders from The Netherlands scored a knockout
win over American Mike Pearman, when his opponent quit after the fourth round.
With his powerful style Smulders (83 kg / 183 lbs.) quickly got the attention of his
American opponent and clearly dictated the fight for the first three rounds. A funny
situation happened, when Smulders mistakenly finished the first round too early, turning
away from his opponent with 10 seconds left to go. The dutchman had mixed up the knocking
signal for the last ten seconds
with the bell.
In round four Smulders' dominance became very clear, as he landed punches at will on
Pearman (85,7 kg / 189 lbs.), who at times was unable to defend himself. Between rounds
Pearman's cornermen wisely decided to quit.
After the fight the American underwent a medical check in a hospital nearby, but was
released only one hour later.
The 35 year old Smulders, who has been one of the top European fighters for more than five
years, hopes to get another world title shot. His first try to lift a world title in
September 1997 was not successful. In a fight for the WBA light heavyweight belt he was
outspeeded by the powerful counter boxer Lou del Valle, who stopped him in the 8th round.
Smulders improved his record to 36-2 (28), whereas Pearman dropped to 14-6-1(11).
Fabian Weber
International Press Spokesman
Universum Box-Promotion GmbH