By Anna Sgarbi at ringside
Photo:Marco Chiesa
Unbeaten Italian welterweight Leonard Bundu (29-0-2) successfully retained his European title for the third time on Saturday night in Rezzato, Italy. The African-born Bundu impressively stopped former WBA interim champ Ismael El Massoudi (37-5) of France in the opening round of a scheduled twelve. Bundu started cautiously, but stepped up the pace as soon as he realized that his trademark body shots were taking a toll out of El Massoudi. After enjoying success with his body work, the Italian fighter targeted his challenger’s head and knocked out the French contender at 2’42” of the first round after a perfectly timed left hook to the chin.
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After the fight Bundu, who is rated in the top ten at 147 lbs. both by the WBA and the WBC, spoke with Fightnews.com and expressed his wish to challenge for a world title by the end of 2013, with WBA king Paulie Malignaggi being his main target.
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On the undercard of a Boxe Loreni’s promoted show, Cuban import Brunet Zamora (23-1-2) outscored Michael Carrero (11-20-3) over six at the lightweight limit, while Italian contender Samuele Esposito (12-1) decisioned Luis Garcia (5-11-3) at jr. welter in another six rounder.
