IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham maintained his record with a unanimous points win over Lajuan Simon on Saturday.
Abraham ends Simon's undefeated streak on points
IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham maintained his unbeaten record with a unanimous points win over American fighter Lajuan Simon on Saturday.
The 29-year-old, who now has a record of 29 wins and 23 knockouts, dropped eight kilos in just over a week to make the weight for this ninth defence of his title.
But he showed no signs of strain in inflicting the first defeat of Philadelphian Simon's 24-fight career - the win only serving to enhance 'King Arthur's already sizable reputation.
"He was a hard opponent, he made me work for everything, but the most important thing was to get the win," said Abraham.
Simon made a strong start, but was pinned to the ropes by the champion in the second and he crashed to the canvas in the third round after a quick flurry of punches and a push from Abraham.
The 30-year-old challenger survived, though, and was caught several times in the fourth and fifth.
By the seventh round, Abraham was clearly on top and lined up Simon with quick shots to the body, but the American refused to yield.
He finished the eighth round the stronger and caught the champion flush in the face several times and kept him on the ropes for sustained periods in the ninth.
After an even 10th round, Abraham finished with a quick combination as he stepped up the pace, both fighters were tiring by the 12th, and although the champion kept looking for the big punch to land his 24th knock-out, it never came.
The judges recorded one-sided verdicts of 118-109 and 117-110 twice.
