On Sunday night, Motorworld Cologne witnessed an electrifying boxing event in which Universum fighter Younes Zarraa from Neuss was defeated by Ermal Hadribeaj.
Ermal Hadribeaj, who lives in Florida, prevailed unanimously on points in a thrilling duel after ten intense rounds (98:90, 96:92, 98:91) and thus celebrated his sixth consecutive defense of the WBC International title. Universum fighter Younes Zarraa, on the other hand, lost for the first time in his professional career. It was a technically demanding and physically challenging duel, which was accompanied by an enthusiastic atmosphere from the fans of both camps. In the third round in particular, Zarraa began to falter after a precise right hook to the head from Hadribeaj. The defending champion subsequently took control and scored with a devastating liver hook in the eighth round that visibly hurt Zarraa. Despite tireless resistance, the Neuss fighter was unable to turn the tide and Hadribeaj brought the fight to a confident conclusion.
Prominent witnesses to a memorable evening
Afterwards, Zarraa was fair in sporting terms and paid tribute to his opponent: “It was a tough fight and Ermal deserved to win. I moved up to half-middleweight especially to fight him.” Boxing legend Arthur Abraham, who watched the fight from ringside, was also impressed: “Both showed a fantastic performance. Zarraa fought strongly after the knockdowns, but Hadribeaj was the better man on the night.”
It wasn’t just the fight that was a talking point, the celebrity spectators among the 2,000 fans at ringside also contributed to the glamorous backdrop. Star trainer Ulli Wegner, former world champion Arthur Abraham and Miss Germany Celina Weil, as well as numerous other celebrities from sport and the media, were on hand to witness the athletes’ outstanding performance up close.
Further highlights: Thiemkes makes comeback, Plantic with knockout
In addition to the main fight, there were other notable encounters. Fabian Thiemke celebrated a successful comeback in the light heavyweight division after a three-and-a-half year break. Against Carlos Gallego Montijo, Thiemke showed that he has lost none of his class and won unanimously on points after six rounds (60:54, 60:54, 60:54). His brother Dominik Thiemke, himself a multiple German amateur champion, was proud: “Such a performance after such a long break – that was fantastic!” Luka Plantic, who competed in the super middleweight division, gave his opponent Catalin Paraschiveanu no chance. In the third round, Plantic landed a precise right hook that ended the fight prematurely after 2:13 minutes. Plantic thus defended his WBC International title in impressive fashion.
Ali Kiydin had a less successful evening as he took on Italian Davide Brito for the WBC International Silver title in the Bridgerweight division. Although Kiydin fought forward for long stretches of the fight, it was Brito who landed the decisive blows. Kiydin was beaten unanimously on points after ten rounds (98:91, 97:92, 97:92). The eagerly awaited fight between Allen Bauer and Alexander Lorch, on the other hand, had to be canceled at short notice as Bauer was unable to compete due to illness. Lorch expressed his disappointment: “That’s frustrating, of course, but that’s the way it is in boxing. I hope the fight will be made up for in November.”
The results of the Universum Boxing Gala at a glance:
- 1st half-middle (69.853 kg) – 6 rounds
Salahadin Simmou knockout Rd. 1 over Szilveszter Ajtai - 2nd half-middle (69.853 kg) – 6 rounds
Xhuljo Vrenozi PS UD over Gabor Gorbics (60:54, 60:54, 60:54) - 3rd middle (72.574 kg) – 6 rounds
Islam Ucan PS UD over Robin Zamora (60:53, 60:53, 60:53) - 4th WBC International in the half-middle (69.853 kg) – 10 rounds
Ermal Hadribeaj PS UD over Younes Zarraa (98:90, 96:92, 98:91) - 5th light heavyweight (79.378 kg) – 6 rounds
Fabian Thiemke PS UD over Carlos Montijo (60:54, 60:54, 60:54) - 6th Heavy (+90.781 kg) – 8 rounds
Mourad Aliev T.K.O. Rd. 3 over Luis J. Marin Garcia - 7th WBC International at super-medium (76.203 kg) – 10 rounds
Luka Plantic T.K.o. Rd. 3 over Catalin Paraschiveanu - 8th middle (72.574 kg) – 8 rounds
Serkay Cömert T.K.O. Rd. 3 over Victor Pinango - 9th WBC Int. Silver in the Bridger (101.605 kg) – 10 rounds
Davide Brito PTS over Ali Kiydin (98:91, 97:92, 97:92) - 10th super middle (76,203 kg) – 6 rounds
Allen Bauer vs Alexander Lorch – Allen Bauer sick - 11th super featherweight (58.967 kg) – 6 rounds
Oussama Kebdani PS UD over Jozsef Ajtai (60:53, 60:53, 60:53) - 12th half-middle (69.853 kg) – 6 rounds
Henry Green PSUD over Shevki Kerimi (59:54, 60:54, 60:54) - 13th light heavyweight (79.378 kg) – 8 rounds
Branimir Malenica T.K.O. Rd. 4 over Edisson Saltarin - 14th super middle (76.203 kg) – 4 rounds
Frank Kilp PS UD over Slavisa Simeunovic (40:36, 40:36, 40:36)