Alejandro Berrio, of Colombia, won the vacant IBF super middleweight title when he beat German Robert Stieglitz in Rostock by knockout.
This result came as a bit of a surprise for me and many other boxing fans as Robert Stieglitz has a good record of 29-0 and he also beat Berrio in 2005. Although he started well and won the first two rounds, Robert Stieglitz was sent to the canvas twice in round three before the referee stopped the fight.
Berrio now holds the IBF belt that Joe Calzaghe gave up in order to fight Pete Manfredo in April.
The 30-year-old Berrio said: “I’m very, very happy, I fought him once before and lost.
“I just felt I would win. He is strong, but he let his defence slip a little.”
This is all well and good but winning the IBF title has little difference on the way boxing fans rate Berrio. Sure, he can now call himself a “world champion” but in reality he is not the best boxer in the super middleweight division and he isn’t even one of the best.
All boxing fans know that the best boxer in the division is Joe Calzaghe and some would argue Mikkel Kessler, but I am afraid Berrio does not come into the equation, no matter what title he holds.
What did you think of the fight?
Calzaghe is not the best, he is second best, IF THAT. Kessler is much more powerful with more speed! Clearly a better fighter. He is NUMBER 1.
Comment by WES — April 4, 2007 @ 10:49 pm
Perhaps, but we need a fight between them to be sure.
Comment by Boxing Daily — April 5, 2007 @ 8:35 am
TRUE, but FRANK WARREN from what I’ve heard has claimed to challenge Kessler but I heard that he lied and that they never talked to the Kessler’s team about anything… Kessler said anytime anywhere. He clearly has said it a few times after his victories…
Comment by WES — April 23, 2007 @ 10:15 pm