Veteran jr. middles Evans Ashira, 28-3 going in, and Mamadou Thiam, 42-6, clashed in the headliner of promoter Robert Larsen's pro/am show in Fredrikssund and it was bombs away almost from the beginning. The hard punching Thiam seemed to rattle "the African Warrior" in the first. It was hard fought all the way after that with both men missing and landing with heavy hooks. The pace seemed to tell on Thiam, who faded but was still dangerous with his power.

In the fifth both seemed to tire but trainer Poul Duvill told Evans after the round that "you can't be tired the way we have trained" and Ashira responded, "I am not tired," and came out like a new fighter opening up with double hooks from both hands. Thiam, caught on the ropes, was hurt by a left hook, and then another and went down and out at 1.05.

The fight was scheduled for 12 and announced as for an "Intercontinental" title and promoter Larsen wouldn't say for which but I guessed it was the UBC and Robert Larsen nodded yes.

Former EBU welter champ Christian Bladt returned after a suspension and looked pretty good all considered in winning over Hungarian Laszlo Komjathi over six. However, the Hungarian, a useful journeyman, is beginning to show the effects of many tough fights on the road.

Jr light Robert "the Dream" Osiobe became the last to find out that it is impossible to look good against short Romanian brawler Gheorge Ghiompirica. Osiobe won their six rounder clearly but could never put it together.

Lightweight Kaspar Bruun outscored Pole Tomasz Kwecien over four and had his opponent down in the second.
 

4-19-2008