World
Boxing Federation (WBF) Women’s World Middleweight Champion Christina
Hammer had no problems dealing with durable, but outclassed, challenger
Yahaira Hernandez on Friday September 7 in Muelheim, Germany. Hammer won
a landslide unanimous decision in front of around 4000 fans at the RWE
Rhein-Ruhr Sportshalle.
Both
boxers started the fight at a high pace, but it was Hammer, 13-0 (7),
who continuously had more success and it was clear early on that she was
at another level than Hernandez technically. With quick hands and fast
footwork, the defending champion put her challenger under pressure and
rarely eased off as she thoroughly dominated the Dominican in every
round.
In
round four Hammer connected with a perfect right hand that send
Hernandez, now 11-4 (5), to the canvas. It looked like the beginning of
the end, but Hernandez didn’t seem to have trouble beating the count of
referee Andre Van Grootenbruel and she gamely fought back in the
reminder of the round.
In
round five Hernandez came out reenergized, but Hammer soon took control
again and continued her domination from before the knockdown. In round
nine she again knocked Hernandez down, but the challenger proved to be
as durable as they come and again beat the count.
In
the tenth round, Hernandez tasted the canvas for the third time, and
once more she got up to continue. After the final bell there was no
doubt whatsoever that Hammer had retained her world title, and all three
judges, Zoltan Enyedi, Manfred Kuechler and Frank Michael Mass, scored
the bout 100-85. Hernandez had two points deducted for holding.
“I
wanted to keep my promise of knocking her out, but unfortunately I
couldn’t do it. But it was a good fight, and I am happy with my
performance”, said Hammer after the fight. Hernandez was full of
admiration for the champion, saying:
“I was surprised by the toughness of Hammer, and she really hits hard. Her punches felt as if she had rocks in her gloves.”
The fight, televised live in Germany on Sport 1, was promoted by Ulf Steinforth and his SES Boxing.
