Agbeko Wins IBF Title

19.11.2008 LISTEN

> Agbeko Wins IBF Title

Joseph 'King Kong' Agbeko Ghana's Joseph 'King Kong' Agbeko upset Luis Perez to claim the IBF world bantamweight title in Sacramento, California, last Saturday.

Agbeko was awarded the stunning victory and the crown after the ringside doctor asked the referee to stop the fight at the end of the seventh round.

The action was plentiful from bell one as the 27-year-old challenger dominated with his right hand throughout and showed why Ghanaian fighters are some of the toughest the world has ever seen.

Knowing full well the champion had trouble making weight (Perez missed by a half pound and had to run it off) “King Kong” went to the body early and often. A series of straight rights followed by a left hook rocked Perez, but he came right back and both men traded all around the ring.

Agbeko seemed to get the better of the action throughout, however, showing superior defence and a better jab.

Round two saw “King Kong” stay on Perez, using his straight right against the southpaw Perez to great effect.

Already, the look of confusion mixed with a bit of dejection could be seen on the champion who fought gamely but was still having trouble establishing his game plan.

Agbeko was taking some shots to the body in the sixth round but was in control as he landed the hook behind the right hand lead throughout the sixth.

On account of a push or exhaustion, Perez would tumble to the canvas. Perhaps the weight drain was getting to him along with the punishment from Agbeko.

Round seven saw furious action as Perez landed a big right that shook Agbeko. Afterwards, the two boxers went for broke with Agbeko landing huge right hands that shook Perez to his foundation, but the champion fought bravely on.

Despite the urging of his corner, Agbeko maintained a cool head as he pressed his advantage, landing a huge right with about ten seconds to go. The crowd went crazy.

Inside the round, the ringside doctor Smith Ketchum decided that Perez had had enough and ordered that the fight be stopped to save him, leaving the IBF and Ghana with a new world champion in Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko.

"He suffered multiple head blows and his inability to defend himself made me think he couldn't continue,'' doctor Ketchum said.

The new champion was on cloud nine. "I am the man," said Agbeko, who has 25 wins and one loss with 22 knockouts in his career.

"I believe I was destined to be a world champion. There was no way he was going to stop me from achieving my dream."

Agbeko snapped Perez's 10-match winning streak and handed the former Nicaraguan champ his first defeat since 2000.

Perez, who was unable to muster much of an attack in the first defence of the bantamweight crown, suffered just his second career loss. He is now 25-2 with 16 KOs after not coming out for the eighth round.

Credit — AFP

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