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World Boxing Federation Women’s
World Middleweight Champion
Christina Hammer had no problems
dealing with durable, but
outclassed, challenger Yahaira
Hernandez on Friday September 7
in Muelheim, Germany. Hammer won
a landslide unanimous decision
in front of around 4000 fans at
the RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sportshalle.
Both boxers started the fight at
a high pace, but it was Hammer,
13-0 (7), who continuously had
more success and it was clear
early on that she was at another
level than Hernandez
technically.
With quick hands and fast
footwork, the defending champion
put her challenger under
pressure and rarely eased off as
she thoroughly dominated the
Dominican in every round.
In round four Hammer connected
with a perfect right hand that
send Hernandez, now 11-4 (5), to
the canvas. It looked like the
beginning of the end, but
Hernandez didn’t seem to have
trouble beating the count of
referee Andre Van Grootenbruel
and she gamely fought back in
the reminder of the round.
In round five Hernandez came out
reenergized, but Hammer soon
took control again and continued
her domination from before the
knockdown. In round nine she
again knocked Hernandez down,
but the challenger proved to be
as durable as they come and
again beat the count.
In the tenth round, Hernandez
tasted the canvas for the third
time, and once more she got up
to continue. After the final
bell there was no doubt
whatsoever that Hammer had
retained her world title, and
all three judges, Zoltan Enyedi,
Manfred Kuechler and Frank
Michael Mass, scored the bout
100-85. Hernandez had two points
deducted for holding.
“I wanted to keep my promise of
knocking her out, but
unfortunately I couldn’t do it.
But it was a good fight, and I
am happy with my performance”,
said Hammer after the fight.
Hernandez was full of admiration
for the champion, saying:
“I was surprised by the
toughness of Hammer, and she
really hits hard. Her punches
felt as if she had rocks in her
gloves.”
The fight, televised live in
Germany on Sport 1, was promoted
by Ulf Steinforth and his SES
Boxing. |
