Erdei lands Cruiserweight title

Hamburg-based Hungarian Zsolt Erdei stepped up a division to snatch the WBC cruiserweight title from veteran Giacobbe Fragomeni.

Fragomeni loses grip on WBC belt in narrow points loss

Hamburg-based Hungarian Zsolt Erdei stepped up a division to snatch the WBC cruiserweight title from veteran Giacobbe Fragomeni on Saturday. Erdei took his unbeaten streak to 31 with 17 stoppages with the narrowest of victories on the scorecards, the judges giving him a majority verdict 115-113 twice and 114-114. The 35-year-old, who only made his pro debut nine years ago, stepped out of the comfort zone of his low-key WBO light-heavyweight reign to challenge the 40-year-old Italian despite a huge weight difference, Erdei fully 21lb under the 200lb limit. The pair slugged it out at close quarters for 12 rounds in a fast-paced encounter, the younger man earning a decisive lead early in the fight before the champion came on strong in the second half. However, Erdei did just enough on the cards to clinch the title, although how far he goes now depends on whether he wishes to travel outside Germany in a bid for international recognition.