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Gabon-born Taylor Mabika is the
new World Boxing Federation
(WBF) International
Cruiserweight Champion, after he
won the vacant title on Friday
night, June 17, in Differdange,
Luxembourg by seeing off former
world title-challenger Lars
Buchholz from Germany.
A fired-up Mabika seemed intend
to impress and took the
initiative early, winning the
first three rounds of what was
shaping up to be a one-sided
fight, before referee Vincent
Dupas stepped in and called it
off just before the end of round
four.
Mabika, a former African titlist
and Luxembourg national
champion, was throwing a barrage
of punches and Buchholz didn’t
seem to have an answer for them.
But the Germans defense was
tight and he never appeared
hurt, so it could be argued that
the stoppage was a bit
premature. Official time of
stoppage was 2:57.
Now 15-2-1 (9), Mabika (37) can
set his sights on a possible
clash with WBF World
Cruiserweight Champion Zine
Eddine Benmakhlouf from Algeria,
the man who beat Buchholz in his
previous outing. Buchholz (34)
sees his record dip to 27-9
(20).
The Mabika vs. Buchholz WBF
International title fight was
the main event of a show
promoted by Hamid Zaim and
Samuel Bailhache at the Centre
Sportif Obercorn. Six bouts,
including a Benelux title fight,
made up the undercard on and
action-packed night in
Luxembourg.
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