On April 15, 2000, Dariusz Michalczewski and Graciano Rocchigiani played their long-awaited rematch. Four years earlier, the “Tiger” had come out on top in a scandalous duel against “Rocky”.
April 15, 2000 is eagerly awaited by German boxing fans. Dariusz Michalczewski and Graciano Rocchigiani, two of the most influential figures in German boxing, will face each other that evening in the Preussag Arena in Hanover. Here the “Tiger” as the dominant WBO light heavyweight world champion – there “Rocky”, the uncomfortable, eternal rebel.
Explosive history
The Tiger vs. Rocky 2 duel also had an extremely explosive history. Four years earlier, the two rivals met for the first time at the Millerntor stadium in Hamburg’s St. Pauli district. Rocchigiani went into this fight against the Polish-born fighter as the underdog. Nevertheless, he thrashed the WBO light heavyweight champion in the first six rounds and appeared to be on his way to victory.
In the seventh, Rocky caught the defending champion after the referee’s command to separate – whereupon Michalczewski sank to the ground and signaled that he could no longer continue fighting. In the eyes of most, the overtaxed champ was the dying swan. The fight was stopped and the officials quickly announced a verdict: A technical draw. The Tiger remained world champion – but the stadium boiled and celebrated Rocky.
When the “rematch” took place almost four years later on April 15, 2000, the ballyhoo beforehand was enormous. Rocky even calls his rival a “stupid Pole” at a press conference, which earns him a lot of criticism, but is good for the marketing of the renewed duel.
“I was fed up” – Rocky gives up
The undefeated Michalczewski again enters the ring as the favorite – and this time he leaves no doubt about his status. He controls the fight almost throughout with precise jabs and a high frequency of punches. Time and again, the Tiger breaks through the challenger’s otherwise stable double guard. Rocchigiani, who is back on the ropes after a long break, can hardly find any means against the immense pressure. Rocky gives up during the break in the tenth round – technical knockout. “I was fed up!” said the Berlin later.
“I wanted to show that I am rightly champion,” explained Michalczewski at the press conference after the fight. “I have respect for Graciano, but only performance counts in the ring.” Rocchigiani then joked: “Dariusz may be a stupid Pole, but he boxed better today.”
Text: Frank Schwantes