No other sport knows as many controversial decision as boxing. The fight between WBC super middleweight world champion Markus Beyer and challenger Danny Green on August 16 2003 in Nürburgring/Germany is an example of such a decision. It has caused heated discussions even months later. The match was ended by Green being disqualified in round 5. There were journalists who called this a "most distasteful, controversial decision," while to others it is merely "a logical consequence of one of the dirtiest fights in boxing history.” On Saturday in Zwickau, Germany, Markus Beyer [31-2-0, 12 KOs] and Danny Green [19-1, 18 KOs] are meeting again. Fightnews spoke with Beyer about the upcoming rematch and, of course, about that first match against Green.

Would you please tell us how you experienced that first round against Green?
Well, the first two rounds I wasn’t really alert and aware of him. That is something which unfortunately happens quite often with me, I need too much time to become wide-awake. Actually, I didn’t make too bad a start. Ok, maybe I took his jab too often, but it wasn’t too bad until that punch came. When he floored me it was clear that I had lost the round. So, the match started with me being one round behind in score, that’s of course difficult psychologically. I admit he surprised me with his rough kind of boxing. He stops at nothing. He fights with his elbow. He holds you tight with one hand and then hits you with the other. He stops at nothing, he would do everything, literally everything, to win. That’s something I hadn’t reckoned with. I know him now, he won’t surprise me next time.

In round two you went to the canvas again...
Yes, I went down again. The referee had to start counting because there was a punch involved, too. But, actually, I had more or less fallen or rather stumbled back – I had gotten out of step for a moment. I hadn’t been really hit, but I was down nevertheless. So the referee had to do something.

In the break between the second and the third round the referee decided to deduct points from Green. What had happened?
Good question, what had happened? To tell the truth, I wasn’t really aware of what had happened, only that something had happened. The ring bell sounded, the round was over and I lowered my guard. That’s when I felt it. He’d head butted me again.

So, what happened after, in round three and four?
In round three and four I found my rhythm. I was getting into the fight. I think Green noticed it and tried to force a decision. He realised he was getting weaker and tried to do away with me quickly. But that was more than he could handle and I landed some really nice punches. It must have become clear to him then that he couldn’t get a grip on me and that’s what I think is why he went mad and deliberately head-butted me again. [A colleague if mine, who had watched the fight, saw this somewhat differently and wrote: “During the fifth round, Green and Beyer came together and Green lifted his shoulder and head, making contact with the right side of Beyer’s jaw.”]

This head-butt [the referee immediately declared it as deliberate and took 2 points away from Green], which caused the contest to be stopped and, as a consequence, led to Green’s disqualification, occurred in round five?
Yes.

Did it cause a new cut?
Oh yes!

Or did it only open the cut that you had got in the second round even wider?
No! It gave me a second cut, which was right below the other, on the eyelid. Blood was running directly into my eye – I couldn’t see anymore.

And that was why the contest was stopped and Green disqualified?
Yes.

How do you see this match today, after one and a half years?
It was definitely my best. In the beginning there were the two hits, when I went down, although in round two I stumbled more than I fell. In these rounds he surprised me, or rather I let him surprise me by his rough boxing, the way he fights, which is sometimes really dirty and unfair. Of course, I know him better now. I’m warned.

Are there things that you will do different this time?
You bet. I know what I’m up to this time. And I’m preparing for it.

Will this fight be harder or easier than the last one?
Hmmmm. It’s hard to say. If I can force my strategy on him it should be easier.

After the last fight the Australians accused the Germans of cheating. What do you think of that?
These guys probably still believe that the contest was stopped because of the cut that I had received in the second round. Few people know that Green had opened a second cut with his butt. It was a serious foul! Actually, I’m surprised that he wasn’t suspended for it. That was a deliberate injury. Ok, we all know that boxing is not playing bowling or billiards, but never before have I experienced such an obvious and brutal foul, and as far as that goes, I haven’t seen anything like it before either. In my opinion, they should have suspended him for it.

As for the rematch, what outcome do you expect?
I don’t actually care how the fight ends, as long as I’m the winner.

My last question, as always: What are your wishes for the future?
You can write the same answer as last time: health and staying champion.