At the end of the first WBC Convention in Germany, Universum organized the Universum Boxing Night #14 in the large ballroom of the Grand Elysee Hotel in Hamburg.
The event was a thrilling climax to the 62nd WBC Convention. And when you consider that Ismail Özen-Otto, head of Universum Boxpromotion, brought the prestigious convention to Germany for the first time, the event takes on added significance. With this milestone, Universum and Özen-Otto are starting a new chapter in German boxing history. And the boxing gala sparkled just as brightly as the congress. Eleven bouts, including seven title fights – from atomweight (46.266 kg) to the almost twice as heavy premier class (+90.718 kg) were held.
Mourad Aliev makes another statement at heavyweight
At 2.02 m, he was the giant of the event. Right-hander Mourad Aliev defended his WBC International Silver belt against the unbeaten Italian Davide Brito (6-0-0). At the last Universum Boxing Night in Cologne’s Motorworld Arena, the two were able to watch each other in a long-distance duel. Aliev sent his opponent into retirement in a short round. Brito defeated a strong Ali Kiydin on points.
Brito shone against Aliev with his taker qualities, while Aliev worked with his physicality and punching power. While the first round was still equal, the pendulum swung in Aliev’s favor as the fight progressed. It was not only the pendulum that swung, it was also Aliev’s punching hand. The Frenchman heaved his hammer through Brito’s guard in the sixth round and knocked him through the ropes. Knockout. For Aliev, the new #14 in the WBC, it was more than a fight, it was a statement, as if to say: “Look, I’m ready for the top 10 of the WBC!”
Gonzalez remains world champion
Mexico’s Ashley Gonzalez (16-2-0) defended her WBC super flyweight world title against Spain’s Mary Romero (10-6-0). In the ten-round bout, the 31-year-old Gonzalez took the lead late on, but had to be on her guard against the dangerous counters of the clever Romero. It was more than just a fight between the two women, it was a battle with an unusual degree of toughness for this weight class, in which there was no clear winner for a long time.
Romero boxed to the limit, but was unable to counter the “Mexican” precision and speed in the second half of the fight. Gonzalez’s jabs were now on target and her punching hand smashed her opponent’s concept to smithereens. In the end, the jury decided in favor of the old and new world champion Gonzalez. (97:93 98:92 98:92)
Ermal Hadribeaj defends his title for the seventh time
Right-hander Ermal Hadribeaj (19-0-1) continued his winning streak after his victory against Younes Zarraa and defended his WBC International super welterweight title on points against the strong Venezuelan Eddy Colmenares (9-1-1). In a technically clean and fair fight over ten rounds, they opened fearlessly, showed no mistakes in their guard and attacked each other with good combinations. Hadribeaj boxed increasingly harder and faster in what felt like a more than close fight. After round 4, the judges scored the fight 40:36 38:38 39:37 for Hadribeaj. Colmenares was of course aware of the intermediate score. Now he had to attack aggressively without running into the devastating counterattacks of the lurking American by choice. Colmenares caught up, but was unable to prevent Hadribeaj’s 95:95 97:93 97:93 success. It was the seventh successful title defense in a row for the unstoppable champion.
Indomitable: Billy Dib celebrates farewell at Unsiversum Gala
If there’s one person who defies his fate, it’s Billy Dib (48-6-0). In 2015, his wife Sara died of blood cancer. Then it hit him himself. In October 2022, the Australian was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Cancer had chosen the wrong opponent, as Billy fought his way back to life and was back in the ring at the Universum Boxing Gala. His opponent was Attila Kayabasi, who won last Saturday on the undercard of Pulev vs. Charr in Sofia/Bulgaria. The German showed increasing signs of wear and tear. The fight was still in his bones.
The 39-year-old former IBF International Super Lightweight Champion was a different story. Despite a slow start, he proved that he has lost none of his skill. From the backpedal and with swinging movements, he landed hard punches with both fists. Dib boxed cleverly against the increasingly tired but irresistibly forward-boxing German. He was still on his feet after the last round. Billy “the Kid” defeated Attila Kayabasi unanimously on points in an impressive fight (80:72, 80:72, 80:72) and sent out an unmistakable signal: A Billy Dib never gives up! Dib ended his impressive career with this fight. Two days earlier, WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán appointed him an ambassador of the Board of Champions.
All results of the Universum Box Night
- WBC International Silver Heavy (+90.781 kg) – 10 rounds
Mourad Aliev knockout Rd. 6 (1:56 min) over Davide Brito - WBC World super flyweight (52.163 kg) – 10 rounds
Asley Gonzalez PTS (97:93 98:92 98:92) over Mary Romero - WBC International Silver Mittel (72.574 kg) – 10 rounds
Serkay Cömert PTS (99:90 99:90 100:89) over Yassin Hermi - WBC Francophone Heavyweight title (+90.781 kg) – 10 rounds
Bohdan Myronets PTS (97:93 94:96 93:97) over Jose Larduet - WBC International half-middle (69.853 kg) – 10 rounds
Ermal Hadribeaj PTS (95:95 97:93 97:93) over Eddy Colmenares - WBC International Silver Light Heavy (90.781 kg) – 10 rounds
Benjamin Gavazi T.K.O. Rd. 10 over Branimir Malenica - Welter (66.678 kg) – 8 rounds
Henry Green T.K.O. Rd. 4 over Jonny Sanchez - WBC Silver Atom (46,266) – 10 rounds
Esneidy Olmos PTS (93:97 96:94 97:92) over Sana Hazuki - Super lightweight (63.503 kg) – 8 rounds
Billy Dib PTS (80:72 80:72 80:72) over Atilla Kayabasi