German world title hopeful Abass Baraou claimed the vacant EBU super welterweight title with a majority-decision win over Sam Eggington last night at the Telford International Centre in Telford, England.
The consensus ringside was that Baraou had comfortably defeated the experienced former British and European welterweight champion over the 12 round distance. However, the first scorecard to be announced by Freddy Rafn was surprisingly 114-114, a draw. The following scores of 111-117 and 112-117 depicted a more accurate assessment in the West Midlands.
“I was not really worried as I was focusing on the fight and what I had just done,” Baraou told boxingscene.com draped in his royal blue EBU title from his dressing room. “I just patiently waited [for the results], it was such a big win for me today. A lot of people couldn’t see the win for me today, I was focused on that.”
Baraou turned up the heat in the fourth and fifth rounds, having Eggington in big trouble. The Birmingham man gallantly fought on until the final bell.
“I did feel like I was getting close to the stoppage,” Baraou added. “He was tough though, I could feel it. The main thing was to be patient and not rush the work. I didn’t want to spoil it. There were times I was just trying to break him down.”
To add to Baraou’s European title, the 15-1 (9 KOs) German is now mandatory for the WBA world title at 154 pounds after long standing champion Jermell Charlo was stripped due to inactivity.
Uzbekistan’s Israil Madrimov and Russia’s Magomed Kurbanov were reportedly set to contest the vacant belt this Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, Dan Rafael has reported today that the fight is jeopardy due to Madrimov failing a pre-fight medical.
“I don’t know who wins that fight, we will have to watch it and find out,” Baraou added, having been asked to pick a winner. “I feel like I am ready for the big fights and to take that journey. I feel good after a tough 12-round fight with Sam. It’s a good experience that sets me up for those big fights. I can’t wait, I’m ready for it.
“I would love to take a big fight back to Germany, that was always part of the plan. I’m European champion now, let’s see what we can make happen.”