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11/05/2006 Archived Entry: "Euro-Beat Update: Greenberg Stops Varakin, Sprott Decisions Dettweiler & More!"
Euro-Beat Update: Greenberg Stops Varakin, Sprott Decisions Dettweiler & More!
By Per Ake Persson
Courtesy of the Boxing Press
Israeli heavyweight hope Roman Greenberg retained the IBO I/C title with an impressive sixth round knockout of Russian Alexei Varakin. Greenberg ended matters with a single punch, a right upercut and Varakin went out flat on his back. However, up until then it had been a tough struggle for Greenberg and in the fourth it looked like an upset was in the making. Roman appeared to be tiring and didnīt seem to know how to handle his opponentīs wide left hook and right hand. There also appeared to be some kind of conflict with British trainer and chief cornerman Jim Evans. It was messy and hardfought with both loading up on their punches and missing a lot. Varakin always looked dangerous and the ending came right out of the blue.
Greenberg, now 23-0, won allright and the ending was impressive but it appears he have a long way to go before he can take on any of the leading contenders.
On the undercard French jr middle Christophe Canclaux knocked out Hungarian Laszlo Buranyi in the fifth round. Buranyi was down in the first and second as well.
Ukrainian supermiddle Stas Kashtanov retained the WBC Youth title with a unanimous decision over Belgian Michael Henrotin.
In Muhleim an der Ruhr, Germany, British heavy Michael Sprott retained the EU title with a split decision over German Rene Dettweiler. Belgian Oleg Platov won the IBF I/C crown with a split call over Nigerian Henry Akinwande.
