Paris (AFP)
French boxer Mathieu Bauderlique was crowned European light heavyweight champion by beating Russian Igor Mikhalkin by abandoning the call for the eighth round on Friday at Roland Garros.
Bauderlique (32), bronze medalist at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016, signed the 21st victory of his career (a defeat) against an experienced fighter (36) who had suffered only one setback for ten years, against his compatriot Sergey Kovalev in a WBO World Championship.
The Frenchman with generous boxing entered his fight perfectly, causing the Russian to falter in the third round.
Hit in the right eye, he managed to keep the same pace, before Mikhalkin's camp threw in the towel before the eighth round.
French boxer Mathieu Bauderlique (l) against Russian Igor Mikhalkin, during their fight for the European light heavyweight title, September 10, 2021 at Roland-Garros FRANCK FIFE AFP
Having turned professional in 2011, Bauderlique can now place himself for a possible world chance, he who is undefeated on his last nine outings.
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