By Karl Freitag
In an IBF middleweight eliminator, perennial contender Sam Soliman (43-11, 17 KOs) won a controversial unanimous decision over longtime former WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm (37-4-2, 16 KOs) on Friday night at the ISS Dome in Duesseldorf, Germany. Sturm dropped Soliman with huge right hand in round two and had Soliman in big trouble. After a few rounds Soliman recovered upped his work rate, while Sturm continued to land the cleaner punches. Judge Benoit Roussel of Quebec, Canada turned in a ridiculous 116-111 score, while Mickey Vann (England) and Steve Weisfeld (Connecticut) scored it 114-113.
Ring announcer Michael Buffer initially announced the winner as being from Germany before resetting and declaring Soliman the winner. Soliman earned a mandatory shot against reigning IBF titleholder and fellow Aussie Daniel Geale.
Former female world flyweight champion Susi Kentikian (29-2, 16 KOs) won a bloody ten round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten late sub Sanae Jah (7-0, 2 KOs) to claim the interim WBA female flyweight belt. After losing two consecutive controversial decisions, the “Killer Queen” was aggressive from the get-go while Jah was more than willing to trade. Kentikian dropped Jah in round seven and won by scores of 99-90.5, 98-93, 97.5-92.
Unbeaten jr middleweight Arman Torosyan (6-0-1, 4 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Marcen Gierke (10-49-2, 18 KOs) by scores of 60-54 on all cards.
Jr middleweight Maurice Weber (17-1-1, 5 KOs) easily outclassed journeyman Mariusz Biskupski (19-25-1, 8 KOs) over six by scores of 58-56, 60-54, 60-54.
Unbeaten heavyweight Adnan Redzovic (10-0, 3 KOs) outpointed Niko Falin (3-2, 2 KOs) over six by scores of 59-56, 59-55, 59-56.
Light heavyweight veteran Lolenga Mock (31-13-1, 12 KOs) hammered Patrick Dobroschi (13-2-3, 4 KOs) over eight rounds. The 40-year-old Mock dropped Dobroschi in round one and pretty much outmuscled and outpunched Dobroschi the entire fight.
