Sarah Bormann defeats Isabel Rivero in the first defense of the WBO world title in Sindelfingen with a split decision victory.
Sarah “Babyface” Bormann (20-1, 7 knockouts) successfully defended her WBO world minimumweight title on Saturday evening in the Glaspalast Sindelfingen. In her first title defense, she defeated Isabel Rivero (10-3, 1 knockout) of Spain on points by split decision. The fight was broadcast live on DAZN.
The judges scored the fight 97-93 and 99-92 in favor of Bormann, while a Spanish judge saw Rivero in front with 96-93. Despite Rivero’s tenacious resistance and many movements on her feet, Bormann was clearly the dominant player in the ring. She constantly pushed forward and put the Spaniard under constant pressure, while Rivero tried to counter from the back.
The 33-year-old from Frankfurt had already secured the then vacant WBO belt in December with a unanimous points victory over Jennifer Sabrina Meza in Karlsruhe. Isabel Rivero, former European champion, was ranked fourth by the WBO and was therefore a serious challenger.
In international comparison, Argentina’s Sol Cudos currently holds the IBF minimumweight title, while Japan’s Yuko Kuroki holds the WBA belt. The WBC champion in this weight class is the experienced Yokasta Valle.
Ardian Krasniqi (11-0, 11 knockouts) provided another highlight in the evening’s supporting program. The light heavyweight remained unbeaten in his eleventh professional fight and defended his WBO Intercontinental title with a spectacular knockout victory in the fourth round against Argentinian veteran Diego Ramirez (27-13-1, 6 knockouts). Krasniqi, currently ranked 14th in the WBO world rankings, should soon appear in the top 10 after this convincing performance.