By Per Ake Persson

Linkoping, Sweden - This town was hit by the first professional boxing event since 1965. Back then legends like Bosse Hogberg, Lennart Risberg and Stig Waltersson headlined, while on an earlier show in Linkoping the one-time heavyweight champion of the world, Ingemar Johansson, fought an exhibition.

 

On this Power Boxing Promotions show, WBC female jr. lightweight champ Frida Wallberg (11-0) took on American challenger Amanda Serrano (14-1) and won a unanimous decision after ten two minute rounds with ten ounce amateur gloves worn (as in the undercard fights as well). This may have played a part in the outcome but Wallberg came on strong in the later rounds for a win on scores of 98-93, 97-93 and 96-94.

"This was the greatest fight in the history of female boxing," shouted Olof Johansson, an exellent ring announcer, and the General Secretary in the Swedish pro commission but on this occasion he was exaggerating just a little.

Welterweight Patrick "Red Alert" Bogere beat Latvian Semjons Moroseks over six on scores of 58-56, 59-55 and 60-54. Moroseks showed a dangerous right and Bogere had to work hard for his win.

 

Linkoping´s own Naim Terbunja (1-0), the Albanian Warrior, finally got to make his pro debut and won a four round decision over Serbian Vladimir Spasojevic. All of the judges had it 40-36.

"I enjoyed every minute up there," said Naim afterwards.

 

Former amateur star Benjamin Kalinovic returned after a long layoff and outscored Hassan Ssaku over four in a jr. middleweight contest. It was scored 39-37, 40-37 and 40-36.

 

Another comeback kid was cruiserweight Stefan Schallengruber, who stepped in against same day substitute Lawrence Bennett from England. Bennett, a tall southpaw, outboxed Schallengruber in three rounds and held on the in the last for a deserved win. The judges had it 39-37 twice and 38-38.

 

Female welterweight Mikaela "´Destiny" Lauren outscored Cindy Serrano over six hardfought two minute rounds. It was scored 58-56 twice and 59-55 for Lauren, who slugged it out all the way against her agressive opponent. Lauren was cut over the right eye in the last.

 

In the opener, an all-Swedish fight at welterweight with Suro Ismailov making his pro debut with a unanimous four round points win over Sanharib Staifou. It was scored 39-37 twice and 40-36.