March 14, 2004
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK-Morgens Palle is not only an influential promoter in Denmark but the face of the Danish boxing history. It is Palle himself that has survived boxing in Denmark, having handled such name boxers as Tom Bogs, Borge Krogh, Jorgen Hansen, Hans Henrik Palm, Ayub Kalule, Jimmy Bredahl, Johnny Bredahl, etc. If you look at current world ratings today, we will see so many Danish prospects under Palle ranked therein as Mikkel Kessler, Mads Laarsen, Rudy Markussen, Spend Abazi, et al. Palle celebrated his 70th birthday on Sunday. Palle, supported by his energetic partner and daughter Bettina, presented a gigantic six title promotion in commemoration of his birthday on Saturday at the Brondby Hallen in Denmark, being congratulated by many friends and representatives from European countries.
The results and resports are as follows:
WBA BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
Crafty and clever Johnny Bredahl (55-2, 26 KOs), 118, Denmark, kept his WBA bantamweight belt as he took the initiative, dropped previously unbeaten Japanese Nobuaki Naka (17-1-2, 11 KOs), 118, with a looping left hook in the fourth and withstood his challenger ’s furious retaliation in later rounds to win a unanimous verdict over twelve hard-fought rounds. Scores: Daniel Talon (France) 117-112, Ricardo Duncan (Panama) 117-111, and Silvestre Abainza (Philippines) 118-109, all in favor of the 35-year-old champ.
Bredahl, making his third defense since dethroning Venezuelan Eidy Moya via ninth round KO in 2002, utilized his fast and accurate jabs, along with his trade-mark footwork, and dominated the contest from the outset. Naka, 25, kept trying to come close to the champ only to be outlegged and outpunched in the first five rounds. The fourth saw Bredahl connect with a well-timed long left hook, flooring his rival on the seat of his trunks. The Japanese turned loose and landed solid left hooks and body shots to be in command in the sixth. But the game champ made good use of his left hand to regain his pace in outboxing the willing mixer. As the champ became fading and slowing down, Naka kept stalking him but failed to catch the very elusive target. Bredahl slipped down with Naka’s left after referee Mark Nelson called a break in the ninth, and sat down with the challenger’s shot below the belt in the ten. Bredahl’s cleverness and experience prevented the desperate Japanese from catching up with him in the last two sessions. The champ displayed his brain, while the challenger showed his heart.
WBC INTERNATIONAL 168-POUND TITLE BOUT
Unbeaten WBC top ranked Mikkel Kessler (33-0, 25 KOs), 168, Denmark, easily kept his WBC international 168-pound belt as he sank ex-WBA middleweight champ Julio Cesar Green (26-6-1, 18 KOs), 167.25, with a single strong body shot for the count at 1:20 in the opening round. It was quite a disappointment that Green couldn’t endure Kessler’s straight right to the midsection and fell on fours in a delayed reaction to be unable to raise himself up. The unbeaten Kessler is expecting his turn to have a mandatory shot at the winner of WBC ruler Markus Beyer and WBC interim champ Danny Green.
WBO INTERCONTINENTAL 168-POUND TITLE BOUT
WBO #8 ranked Rudy Markussen (28-1-1, 17 KOs), 168, Denmark, barely retained his WBO intercontinental 168-pound title as he sustained too nasty a cut on an accidental collision of heads with WBO #3 Kabary Salem (23-2-1, 12 KOs), 166.75, to go on and it was declared No Decision in the first session. Markussen bled so profusely that it was obvious that he was not allowed to continue fighting.
IBF 168-POUND JUNIOR WORLD TITLE BOUT
Unbeaten Martin Nielsen (11-0, 7 KOs), 167.75, Denmark, furiously mixed it up with Anthony Clark Dennis (5-1, 4 KOs), 167, from the start and dropped him with a strong shot just at the bell to end the first session, and Swedish referee Michael Hook finely made a quick decision and counted him out. Dennis was so badly rubbery-legged that he was very unlikely to fight on in the next session.
EBA FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
Spend Abazi (29-1, 10 KOs), 126, barely kept his WBA international EBA feather title by winning a split nod (116-112, 117-112, 114-115) over Robert Osiobe (7-2-1, 3 KOs), 124, Nigeria, over ten hard-fought rounds. Osiobe, a conqueror of Abazi’s stablemate Jadgar Abdulla in his previous bout, was an aggressor in early rounds, but Abazi showed his skills in controlling the second half to win a hairline verdict.
EBU EU-TITLE BOUT
Giovanni Alvarez (15-0, 9 KOs), 174.75, Denmark, battered game but slower Paolo Ferrera (18-5-1, 6 KOs), 175, Italy, all the way to win the vacant EU light-heavy title by a unanimous decision over ten.
The fantastic show was over at about 1 am to celebrate Mr. Palle’s actual birthday by probably prolonging it to Sunday. Morgens Palle was whole-heartedly congratulated in the ring by all the audience midway in the show.
Promoter: Team Palle by Mogens and Bettina Palle.
(3-14-04)