Culcay wins ring battle against Baraou
Abass Baraou and Jack Culcay delivered a high-class, dramatic and relentless ring battle in their eagerly awaited showdown last Saturday night.
This fight was an advert for German boxing! Abass Baraou and Jack Culcay delivered a high-class, dramatic and relentless ring battle in their eagerly awaited showdown last Saturday evening. Expectations were already high in the run-up to the duel between the two half-middleweights, with many even talking about the best match-up in Germany for years. Abass Baraou and Jack Culcay more than lived up to the anticipatory praise and put on a great show for the spectators in the Havel Studios in Berlin and in front of the TV sets.
Over twelve full rounds, both athletes showed strong technique, great willpower and a fighter's heart. After the final bell, Baraou and Culcay were finally in each other's arms - only the judgement was to slightly diminish the strong performance of the two in the end. For most observers, the 25-year-old Baraou, who was unbeaten until this evening, was narrowly in front, but the verdict went to the experienced former champion Culcay by 2:1 judges' votes.
"I think I put in a great performance," said Baraou after his first defeat in only his tenth fight with the professional boxers. "It was a tough fight. I don't feel defeated, but I still lost. I have to come to terms with that. But I'm definitely moving on. This fight won't stop me from getting to the top."
The talented Baraou was still hesitant in the first two rounds, but already impressed with his smooth defensive movements. Culcay, who can look back on an impressive CV as a pugilist, capitalised on his opponent's cautious start and was able to score his first points with good punches. However, Baraou turned up the heat from the third round onwards: With quick hands, a good eye and precise strikes, he soon took control of the fight.In the eighth round, Culcay even looked impressed by his opponent, who was nine years his junior - but that was the starting signal for a strong comeback by the former WBA world champion at half-middleweight. Because in the final phase of the fight, the 34-year-old turned up the heat again and sought an open exchange of blows - Baraou accepted the invitation to the delight of the crowd and from then on both boxers only knew the unconditional offence.While Culcay was able to secure the tenth and eleventh rounds by a narrow margin, Baraou turned up the heat again in the last three minutes before the final bell and took the final round - and thus actually the fight. However, the judges ultimately assessed the hard-fought and close duel differently: one of the three officials at ringside saw Baraou in front with 116-113, but was ultimately overruled by his two colleagues, who believed Culcay to be in front with 115-114 and 115-113.
Even before the judgement was announced, there were calls for a rematch between Baraou and Culcay. After all, the two half-middleweights had just fought a memorable ring battle. "I'm open to a rematch," explained Culcay immediately after his success with a shrug of the shoulders. "I'm a sportsman. I know what it's like to lose. You always come back stronger. So hats off to you! Respect!" The evening's winner also had warm words for Baraou's performance: "Abass Baraou was really strong, I'll give him that. He put up a great fight."Jack Culcay's victory takes him into second place in the IBF rankings and brings him a big step closer to another world championship opportunity, while Baraou has to take a back seat for now. For all fans who were able to watch this memorable evening of boxing, however, it is clear that Culcay and Baraou should face each other again in the ring for a rematch as soon as possible.