In the first title fight of the day Christian Hammer (14-3, 10) defeated Leif Larsen (17-2, 14) in a battle for the WBO European Heavyweight title in Galati, Romania.
Although Hammer won the bout he certainly didn't look like doing so early. The bout started well for Larsen who appeared to claim the first 3 or 4 rounds with his work rate but Hammer managed to come back in to the fight in the middle rounds as Larsen began to tire.
A tired Larsen was dropped in round 6 and in the following round he appeared to be looking an exhausted fighter as Hammer looked for big shots, one of which he landed sending Larsen down for the count
The bout wasn't the most skilled affair but it was still an enjoyable battle between two crude guys. Larsen, who had taken Odlanier Solis the distance just a few months ago, wouldn't have been expected to have been stopped by Hammer though his lack of fitness really did cost him in this bout
Also on the card in Romania was a 4th round TKO loss for former World title challenger Danny Williams (44-18-0-1, 33) who was stopped by Poland's hard hitting Marcin Rekowski (10-0, 9). Williams was wobbled every time he was hit and this really should be the end for him before he gets seriously hurt.
The Romanian card also featured 2 much less bouts as the debuting Octavian Lehadus (0-1) was forced to retire against Liviu Ungureanu (2-15, 2) in a surprising result and Giulian Ilie (20-6-2, 6) stopped Gabor Nagy (1-4, 1) in the second round, in a much less surprising bout.
Remaining in Europe, though moving over to Italy there was a good victory for the promising Matteo Modugno (14-0, 8) who defended his Italian Heavyweight title by stopping domestic rival Fabio Tuiach (25-3, 15) in the 6th round. Although Turiach had an impressive looking record it's been a whilst since he fought a notable opponent and his highest profile bout to date did see him being stopped early by Marco Huck in a European Cruiserweight title fight.
Saying that about Turiach however it was still a good win for Modugno who si genuinely an under-the-radar Heavyweight prospect who may be worth following due to his size and amateur experience.
In the United States there were victories for Travis Kauffman (25-1, 18), who out pointed journeyman Arron Lyons (12-13-1, 9) and the promising Dorsett Barnwell (10-0, 5), who stopped the experienced Marlon Hayes (23-13, 11) in 3 rounds.
Aged 25 we'd be tempted to keep tabs on Barnwell who has the potential to improve though for Kauffman we dare say the ship has sailed on him being a potential world level fighter.
The most notable bout in the US however saw Amir Mansour (19-0, 14) in title action. Mansour, the self claimed, "avoided man od the division" took a competitive 12 round decision over the game journeyman Maurice Harris (26-18-2-1, 11) as he defended his WBF Intercontinental and claimed both the interim NABA titles and the USBA title.
Considering the reputation Mansour has as an avoided man in the division this result really will not do him any favours at all, in fact if anything it'll see fans willing to call him exposed and hyped, blowing any chance he had of getting a big fight that he feels he deserves.