(JULY 26) Susianna Kentikian won the International German Flyweight Title in a grueling fight against Daniela Graf at Sportschule Sachenwald near Hamburg last night.  The judges scored the fight  98-92, 98-92 and 99-91 in Kentikian's favour.

The bout was fought under almost adverse conditions, with a temperatures close to 100, the humidity high, and in a hall lacking ventilation. Although the score may suggest a one sided fight, this was by no means the case. Daniela Graf came well prepared for Kentikian's fighting style, and managed to put up a much better defence, than Kentikian's previous 11 opponents - nine of who were stopped before time.

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Graf, who fought 10 rounds against Julia Sahin in October of last year, also managed to put Kentikian under pressure throughout the bout. Kentikian probably faced more incoming fire, than in her in all her previous fights put together. But Kentikian's fast hands and excellent footwork made the difference in this fight.

Kentikian piled up points on good combinations throughout the bout, and her swift body movements made Graf miss a lot of punches. Daniela Graf had her best moments when she managed to get on the inside.

Followers of women's boxing in Europe will know, that even World Championship fights does not necessarily result in competitive and top quality boxing, but this fight for the International German title gave the audience all that they could wish for, in 10 fast paced rounds. Both boxers deserve a lot of credit for producing such a riveting fight despite the adverse conditions.

Kentikian Wins first belt

I had the opportunity to exchange a few words with Kentikian after the fight. She told me, that the fight had been a great learning experience for her. Her comments on the conditions in hall was: "When I entered the ring, the heat made me wonder if I had boxed 10 rounds already, it was very difficult to breathe." Incidentally, this is the first time Kentikian has been beyond 6 rounds, but she passed this tough fitness test with flying colours.

Lukasik vs. Bojare

A second women's bout saw Karolina Lukasik take her record to 4-0-0, by defeating a brave, but overmatched, Olga Bojare of Lithuania in a four-round Super Welterweight bout. Lukasik was hitting Bojare almost at will at the end of the 3rd round, and a stoppage would have been in order. But the gutsy Lituanian came out for the 4th round and finished the bout standing.