BoxRec - User contributions [en]

Demetrice King vs. Bermane Stiverne

2007-07-09T04:52:40Z

Miika:

<fight>1215577</fight>

* King was knocked down in the 1st.
* In round 4 King hurt Stiverne with a big right hand and Stiverne failed to answer the punches.
* Controversial stoppage

Demetrice King vs. Bermane Stiverne

2007-07-09T04:52:10Z

Miika:

<fight>1215577</fight>

* King was knocked down in the 1st.
* In round 4 King hurt Stiverne with a big right hand and Stiverne failed to answer the punches.
* Controvesrial stoppage

Fight:1197652

2007-05-19T02:39:53Z

Miika:

<fight>1197652</fight>
Juho Tolppola punished Artur Jashkul in a six-round welterweight bout. Tolppola was way too good for the Latvian, but he could not stop his opponent. In the fifth round 25 years old Tolppola dropped Jashkul by a body shot, but amazingly Jashkul got up and went the full distance.

Source: www.boxing.fi

Fight:1201585

2007-05-19T02:38:29Z

Miika:

<fight>1201585</fight>
European middleweight champion “Idi” Amin Asikainen gave no chance to Latvian journeyman Martins Kukuls in eight-round non-title bout. Asikainen was accurate from the beginning and clearly dominated the action. Kukuls was determined to against the EBU champion, but finally in round six Asikainen knocked Kukuls down with a left hook to the body. Referee Erkki Meronen stopped the one-sided fight after the knockdown.

- I might have stopped the fight earlier if I would had slugged with Kukuls. But I decided to be careful and avoid getting hit. It was really just a glorified sparring session, told Asikainen, who is scheduled to defend his EBU title against mandatory challenger Sebastian Sylvester in June. Asikainen has now a 21-0, 15 KO record.

Source: www.boxing.fi

Fight:1195364

2007-05-19T02:37:23Z

Miika:

<fight>1195364</fight>
Heavyweight Sami Elovaara was in great shape. He weighted in at just 101,1 kilos, that is six kilos less than he weighted in January. Elovaara attacked his poor opponent Krisztian Juhasz with a brutal body attack early on. Elovaara knocked out Juhasz with a left hook to the body at the time 1.11 of the first round.

Source: www.boxing.fi

Fight:848204

2007-03-15T23:14:26Z

Miika:

Markkanen down in round two.

Weights: Markkanen 102 kg, Grönfors 94 kg.

Bermane Stiverne

2005-10-06T12:02:21Z

Miika:

Stiverne participated in Tammer Tournament in Finland in 2004:

Canadian Bermane Stiverne, turned out to be a world-class super-heavyweight. Stiverne punched very sharply and hard, protected himself well and fought in cool manner. The Canadian advanced in finals by narrowly edging Helenius 12-8. – I fought carefully, I hit to the body and waited for the openings to land counterpunches, Stiverne said. Interestingly enough, three judges had given Helenius more points and only two of them had Stiverne ahead, both of them by only one point. But the points given simultaneously are the deciding ones and Stiverne was correctly ruled as the winner.

In the finals Stiverne stopped the 205-cm Commonwealth champion David Price in the third round. The Canadian was clearly ahead when he landed a big overhand right and the referee Pekka Ruokola wisely called it off right after the count. Stiverne is heading for a professional career, but probably only after the world championships. – My agent is Lennox Lewis, Stiverne revealed. Why wasn’t a fighter of this calibre in the Olympics? – In a qualifying tournament in Mexico I met a Mexican fighter in the semi-finals and I was robbed. I knocked him down three times but still they gave him the decision and the place in Olympics.

Sorce: [www.boxing.fi]

Photo of Stiverne (with ww.boxing.fi´s webmaster Miika Forsström: [http://www.boxing.fi/kuvatc/bermanestiverneandmiika.jpg]

Fight:918526

2005-03-31T15:54:25Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

LEPPIAHO BATTLES TO A DRAW

Samuli Leppiaho had a difficult evening against Latvian Sergei Savrinoviz. The bout that remained evenly fought throughout finally ended in a draw with the scores of 38-38, 38-39 and 39-38. According to most spectators the Latvian would have deserved a narrow victory. The beginning of the professional career of the Rovaniemi-based Finn has been laborious so far and also this time he fought under his real level. Savrinoviz however was a very positive acquaintance and that naturally made things more difficult for Leppiaho as well.

The Latvian began the fight by firing powershots and landed few of them. Especially in the beginning Leppiaho looked very sluggish and could not get his punches going. The second round was fought the hard way at inside. The stanza was evenly-matched, though the visiting fighter was a bit more active and landed some more too. The third round was Leppiaho’s best as the Latvian spent most of the time in the ropes. The fourth round was again very even as neither fighter spared their punches anymore. The hard fight offered Leppiaho some valuable experience for the future.

Fight:918525

2005-03-31T15:52:47Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

TOLPPOLA SCORES A KO

Juho Tolppola, 23, who had moved back to the super-lightweight division, demonstrated that his nickname "TNT" comes for a reason. In the fourth round TNT landed with a right hook and his Polish opponent Adam Zadworny fell asleep in dramatic fashion. The slim and seemingly well-trained Pole was gutsy and tried his best, but he was no match for Tolppola. Tolppola, who has learned his trade the hard way from his big bouts in outlands looked very determined and confident.

It was evident already in the first round that Tolppola was not going to spend full six rounds in the ring. Halfway in the round Tolppola landed with a left hook and poured punches on Zadworny who was trapped to the ropes. In the second round Tolppola’s dominance continued and his left hook to the body clearly hurt the Pole, who survived by clinching. The active Pole might have taken the third round as Tolppola’s control slipped slightly.

Early in the fourth round as Zadworny attacked, Tolppola landed a counter right hook and the Pole dropped down like a rock. The audience applauded Zadworny as he finally was able to get up with the help of his cornermen. The knockout victory was the 7th of Tolppola’s career, together he has now twelve victories against two losses.

Fight:918525

2005-03-31T15:52:29Z

Miika:

TOLPPOLA SCORES A KO

Juho Tolppola, 23, who had moved back to the super-lightweight division, demonstrated that his nickname "TNT" comes for a reason. In the fourth round TNT landed with a right hook and his Polish opponent Adam Zadworny fell asleep in dramatic fashion. The slim and seemingly well-trained Pole was gutsy and tried his best, but he was no match for Tolppola. Tolppola, who has learned his trade the hard way from his big bouts in outlands looked very determined and confident.

It was evident already in the first round that Tolppola was not going to spend full six rounds in the ring. Halfway in the round Tolppola landed with a left hook and poured punches on Zadworny who was trapped to the ropes. In the second round Tolppola’s dominance continued and his left hook to the body clearly hurt the Pole, who survived by clinching. The active Pole might have taken the third round as Tolppola’s control slipped slightly.

Early in the fourth round as Zadworny attacked, Tolppola landed a counter right hook and the Pole dropped down like a rock. The audience applauded Zadworny as he finally was able to get up with the help of his cornermen. The knockout victory was the 7th of Tolppola’s career, together he has now twelve victories against two losses.

Fight:918524

2005-03-31T15:51:27Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

AMIN ASIKAINEN CONTINUS HIS KNOCKOUT REEL

The reigning middleweight champion of Finland Amin Asikainen performed in sensational fashion at Night Club Premi, at the centre of Helsinki. Hungarian Szabolcs Rimovszky was blasted out by the Kirkkonummi-based Finn in two rounds. The victory was fifth in a row that Asikainen took by knockout. The audience cheered loudly for Asikainen already when he was doing his ring-walk and after the bout the fighter thanked them – I did what you asked for!

Asikainen, 29, (in picture) had boasted beforehand that he would go for a quick solution and he also started the fight roaring. When less than a minute was fought, Asikainen wobbled his foe visibly with a sharp left hook and tried to end the matters with a combination, but Rimovszky battled his way out of the trouble. The Hungarian, whose ring record demonstrates his dangerousness, tried to push Asikainen back and he landed a couple of times but with no effect. The opening round, that was clearly under Asikainen’s control, ended in a minor chaos as the fighters did not hear the bell and continued their heated punch exchange until their cornermen rushed in the ring.

The fight came to its end early in the second round as Asikainen (in picture) again connected to Rimovszky’s chin with a left hook. The Hungarian tried to answer with power punches, which left Asikainen enough room to land with his both hands and Rimovszky went down heavily. The gutsy Hungarian got up with shaky legs but the referee Esa Lehtosaari had no option but to call a halt to the bout.

The victory was the 12th in a row for Asikainen and the tenth via knockout. Rimovszky suffered his third loss in fourteen fights. – Hopefully this win raises me to the EBU ranking list, Asikainen pondered afterwards. The general secretary of Finnish professional boxing association, Pertti Augustin who also is one maker of the EBU rankings, sat at the ringside watching Asikainen’s bout, and Asikainen hardly could have given him any more impressive performance of his capabilities.

Fight:918524

2005-03-31T15:51:18Z

Miika:

Sorce: www.boxing.fi

AMIN ASIKAINEN CONTINUS HIS KNOCKOUT REEL

The reigning middleweight champion of Finland Amin Asikainen performed in sensational fashion at Night Club Premi, at the centre of Helsinki. Hungarian Szabolcs Rimovszky was blasted out by the Kirkkonummi-based Finn in two rounds. The victory was fifth in a row that Asikainen took by knockout. The audience cheered loudly for Asikainen already when he was doing his ring-walk and after the bout the fighter thanked them – I did what you asked for!

Asikainen, 29, (in picture) had boasted beforehand that he would go for a quick solution and he also started the fight roaring. When less than a minute was fought, Asikainen wobbled his foe visibly with a sharp left hook and tried to end the matters with a combination, but Rimovszky battled his way out of the trouble. The Hungarian, whose ring record demonstrates his dangerousness, tried to push Asikainen back and he landed a couple of times but with no effect. The opening round, that was clearly under Asikainen’s control, ended in a minor chaos as the fighters did not hear the bell and continued their heated punch exchange until their cornermen rushed in the ring.

The fight came to its end early in the second round as Asikainen (in picture) again connected to Rimovszky’s chin with a left hook. The Hungarian tried to answer with power punches, which left Asikainen enough room to land with his both hands and Rimovszky went down heavily. The gutsy Hungarian got up with shaky legs but the referee Esa Lehtosaari had no option but to call a halt to the bout.

The victory was the 12th in a row for Asikainen and the tenth via knockout. Rimovszky suffered his third loss in fourteen fights. – Hopefully this win raises me to the EBU ranking list, Asikainen pondered afterwards. The general secretary of Finnish professional boxing association, Pertti Augustin who also is one maker of the EBU rankings, sat at the ringside watching Asikainen’s bout, and Asikainen hardly could have given him any more impressive performance of his capabilities.

Fight:918524

2005-03-31T15:51:00Z

Miika:

AMIN ASIKAINEN CONTINUS HIS KNOCKOUT REEL

The reigning middleweight champion of Finland Amin Asikainen performed in sensational fashion at Night Club Premi, at the centre of Helsinki. Hungarian Szabolcs Rimovszky was blasted out by the Kirkkonummi-based Finn in two rounds. The victory was fifth in a row that Asikainen took by knockout. The audience cheered loudly for Asikainen already when he was doing his ring-walk and after the bout the fighter thanked them – I did what you asked for!

Asikainen, 29, (in picture) had boasted beforehand that he would go for a quick solution and he also started the fight roaring. When less than a minute was fought, Asikainen wobbled his foe visibly with a sharp left hook and tried to end the matters with a combination, but Rimovszky battled his way out of the trouble. The Hungarian, whose ring record demonstrates his dangerousness, tried to push Asikainen back and he landed a couple of times but with no effect. The opening round, that was clearly under Asikainen’s control, ended in a minor chaos as the fighters did not hear the bell and continued their heated punch exchange until their cornermen rushed in the ring.

The fight came to its end early in the second round as Asikainen (in picture) again connected to Rimovszky’s chin with a left hook. The Hungarian tried to answer with power punches, which left Asikainen enough room to land with his both hands and Rimovszky went down heavily. The gutsy Hungarian got up with shaky legs but the referee Esa Lehtosaari had no option but to call a halt to the bout.

The victory was the 12th in a row for Asikainen and the tenth via knockout. Rimovszky suffered his third loss in fourteen fights. – Hopefully this win raises me to the EBU ranking list, Asikainen pondered afterwards. The general secretary of Finnish professional boxing association, Pertti Augustin who also is one maker of the EBU rankings, sat at the ringside watching Asikainen’s bout, and Asikainen hardly could have given him any more impressive performance of his capabilities.

Fight:918525

2005-03-31T15:49:22Z

Miika:

Juho Tolppola, 23, who had moved back to the super-lightweight division, demonstrated that his nickname "TNT" comes for a reason. In the fourth round TNT landed with a right hook and his Polish opponent Adam Zadworny fell asleep in dramatic fashion. The slim and seemingly well-trained Pole was gutsy and tried his best, but he was no match for Tolppola. Tolppola, who has learned his trade the hard way from his big bouts in outlands looked very determined and confident.

It was evident already in the first round that Tolppola was not going to spend full six rounds in the ring. Halfway in the round Tolppola landed with a left hook and poured punches on Zadworny who was trapped to the ropes. In the second round Tolppola’s dominance continued and his left hook to the body clearly hurt the Pole, who survived by clinching. The active Pole might have taken the third round as Tolppola’s control slipped slightly.

Early in the fourth round as Zadworny attacked, Tolppola landed a counter right hook and the Pole dropped down like a rock. The audience applauded Zadworny as he finally was able to get up with the help of his cornermen. The knockout victory was the 7th of Tolppola’s career, together he has now twelve victories against two losses.

Fight:918525

2005-03-31T15:48:53Z

Miika:

Fight:743610

2005-03-15T17:43:24Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

The 28-year-old Asikainen dominated the opening round with his fast punches, but Protkunas was able to give a little trouble to the Finn. At the end of the round Asikainen had his opponent in the ropes and landed some good combinations.
- I bit observed, how he (Protkunas) comes to fight, Asikainen told after the bout.

In the second round Asikainen started going in to the body and Protkunas started to drop his hands a bit. Asikainen continued to pressure his opponent and at the end of round he landed a murdering left-right combination. Protkunas went down and the referee Erkki Meronen counted him out.

Asikainen improved his record to 8-0 (6 KO). His trainer Pekka Mäki hopes that Asikainen gets better opponents in the future.
– Right now we would like to have better opponents and longer fights, Mäki expressed.

Fight:747962

2005-03-15T17:41:08Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

Juho Tolppola scored an impressive eight-round unanimous decision over durable journeyman Leonti Voronchuk. The 22-year-old-Finn gave a beating to the Estonian in every round and all of the judges gave an 80-72 verdict for Tolppola.

Especially the two opening rounds were very good for Tolppola and he battered his opponent in every round. Tolppola´s straight right hand landed many times, but the Estonian took them well. Voronchuk never had a chance of winning the fight, but he gave a very good effort. He took a lot of punches in every round, but still showboated until the end of the fight.

The talented and extremely hard training Tolppola, who stepped up to welterweight, improved his record to 8-0 (4 KO).

Fight:800708

2005-03-15T17:39:34Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

Norwegian giant Leif Olve Dolonen Larsen (In the picture) came in at his career-lightest 123 kilos but his bout was as predictable as ever. Slovakian Milan Becek went toe-to-toe with him early on, but Larsen was too powerful for him. Larsen knocked his opponent down twice in the first round and Becek did not want to continue, handing Larsen his fourth victory in as many fights.

Fight:788826

2005-03-15T17:38:31Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

Juho “TNT” Tolppola had easier time with his Czech opponent Pavel Nemecek. Tolppola has changed his fighting style to more and more aggressive as his career has progressed and in this bout he demonstrated that the new style is working. He pounded Nemecek down twice in the third round and in fourth the referee saved the visitor from further punishment. Tolppola also took home his ninth victory, the knockout was his fifth.

Tolppola fought a clever fight from the beginning and softened Nemecek early with heavy body shots. In the third stanza he began to shorten the distance and looked to finish the contest. He almost did that too, but the bell saved Nemecek after the second knockdown. In the fourth round Tolppola continued his furious attack and the referee rightfully stepped in.

Fight:788824

2005-03-15T17:37:23Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

Amin Asikainen In the main event of the evening, Amin Asikainen faced perhaps his toughest test to date as he met a dangerous young Czech Tomas Kugler in an eight-round
light-middleweight contest. Asikainen passed the challenge in flying colours as he blasted his foe out with a splendid uppercut in the sixth round. The victory did not come easily for Asikainen although he was always in control of the bout after an evenly-fought first round. Kugler started the bout well, but Asikainen soon found the rhythm for his left jab and took over. In the second round he already hurt Kugler and in the third he put the Czech down, but Kugler, showing admirable courage, got up and battled his way back into contest and did well in the next rounds.

Asikainen was in front on the scorecards but he still went for the knockout in the sixth round. He landed well early in the stanza, but he also had to receive a big shot which buckled his knees slightly. Asikainen recovered quickly and continued his attack, which he ended with a picture-perfect right uppercut. Kugler went down twice from the punch as he tried to get up, and the referee Esa Lehtosaari waved the contest off. The fight was quick-paced and audience-friendly and the spectators gave Asikainen an ovation after the bout was over. Asikainen improved to 9-0 with 7 knockouts while Kugler’s statistics dropped to 10-4.

Fight:810398

2005-03-15T17:35:24Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

Pertti Augustin from Finnish Professional Boxing Union reports from Levi Boxing Night:

The best fight of the evening was the one between Samuli Leppiaho and Denis Alekseev. Both were skilful and busy boxers who did not avoid hard exchanges. Eventhough Samuli hardly lost a round, the bout was very evenly-contested. Every round –and exchange – was fought until the end. There were no knockdowns, but a cut in Alekseev’s scalp bled so much that in the end Samuli had become red-haired. Finefight and a fine beginning for professional career.

Fight:810395

2005-03-15T17:33:37Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

Judges’ scorecards: 80-73, 80- 72, 79-74

Pertti Augustin from Finnish Professional Boxing Union reports from Levi Boxing Night:

Juho Tolppola faced an experienced Columbian southpaw Alvaro Moreno,who with his experience of 56 fights demonstrated that he can give a good fight forthe up-and-comers. Juho hardly lost a round, but Moreno stayed in the fight all thetime with his experience. Juho boxed patiently throughout, but he was not able toforce Moreno into a free exchange where his freshness might have told thedifference. Single right-handers now and then wobbled Moreno, but he was able todefend himself and avoid further punishment. Thus punches were thrown but not invery high pace. Moreno showed – which his record of 28 victories with 17 stoppagesalso tells – that he is still a dangerous veteran for up-and-comers against yourwhom concentration must be sharp all the time. Otherwise a black fist might struckdangerously.

Fight:810395

2005-03-15T17:33:27Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

Judges’ scorecards: 80-73, 80- 72, 79-74

Pertti Augustin from Finnish Professional Boxing Union reports from Levi Boxing Night:

Juho Tolppola Juho Tolppola faced an experienced Columbian southpaw Alvaro Moreno,who with his experience of 56 fights demonstrated that he can give a good fight forthe up-and-comers. Juho hardly lost a round, but Moreno stayed in the fight all thetime with his experience. Juho boxed patiently throughout, but he was not able toforce Moreno into a free exchange where his freshness might have told thedifference. Single right-handers now and then wobbled Moreno, but he was able todefend himself and avoid further punishment. Thus punches were thrown but not invery high pace. Moreno showed – which his record of 28 victories with 17 stoppagesalso tells – that he is still a dangerous veteran for up-and-comers against yourwhom concentration must be sharp all the time. Otherwise a black fist might struckdangerously.

Fight:810395

2005-03-15T17:33:18Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

Judges’ scorecards: 80-73, 80- 72, 79-74

Pertti Augustin from Finnish Professional Boxing Union reports from Levi Boxing Night:

Juho Tolppola 3 54 Juho Tolppola faced an experienced Columbian southpaw Alvaro Moreno,who with his experience of 56 fights demonstrated that he can give a good fight forthe up-and-comers. Juho hardly lost a round, but Moreno stayed in the fight all thetime with his experience. Juho boxed patiently throughout, but he was not able toforce Moreno into a free exchange where his freshness might have told thedifference. Single right-handers now and then wobbled Moreno, but he was able todefend himself and avoid further punishment. Thus punches were thrown but not invery high pace. Moreno showed – which his record of 28 victories with 17 stoppagesalso tells – that he is still a dangerous veteran for up-and-comers against yourwhom concentration must be sharp all the time. Otherwise a black fist might struckdangerously.

Fight:851039

2005-03-15T17:30:56Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi

The former heavyweight champion of Finland Jukka Järvinen scored a decision victory over Czech Vladislav Druso. Both fighters threw their shots patiently and kept up a modest pace. Druso seemed to be the more active fighter early on and he landed his cross a couple of times. This time Järvinen was able to take the shots and he controlled the fight from the centre of the ring. The audience encouraged both fighters to throw more punches and whenever Järvinen decided to fire a shot the crowd responded with big cheers.

Järvinen did better as the fight progressed but the bout remained very close until the end. The final round turned out to be the best of the disappointingly tame match, in there both fighters tried to earn the extra points to take home the win. In the papers of the writer Järvinen won three rounds against two for Druso with one even, totalling a 58-57 victory for Järvinen. The judges saw Järvinen more clearly as the winner, their scorecards read 60-56, 60-55 and 59-56.

Miika Forsström

Fight:869264

2005-03-15T17:28:21Z

Miika:

Source: www.boxing.fi.

IBF welterweight International title fight Michéle Orlando – Juho Tolppola Round-by-round

1. Round

Tolppola started the fight aggressively and during the opening round he landed three clean right crosses. Orlando didn’t wobble however, he answered with a couple of shots too. The round went for the Finn 10-9 because of his cleaner punching and because of couple of good body shots thrown by him.

2. Round

In the second round Tolppola fought outstandingly. He landed his cross continuously on Orlando’s body and a couple of times heavily on his head too. Orlando showed little else than an ability to absorb punishment. Round clearly for Tolppola 10-9

3. Round

Orlando went on the attack determinedly from the start, but Tolppola kept him from coming in the early moments with his accurate right cross. The crowd got excited when Orlando landed his right hook and forced Tolppola to the ropes. The Finn fought back fiercely and landed few nice punches. The seemingly iron-chinned Orlando however had the edge in the hard exchanges and he captured the round 10-9.

4. Round

In the fourth round the inside war continued. Both fighters planted their feet on the canvas and pounded away. Orlando controlled the round winging with both hands whereas Tolppola concentrated on single shots. Orlando also threw his body hooks effectively and clearly took the round 10-9.

5. Round

The trading of hooks went on in the fifth round even though the Finnish broadcasters, well-known trainer Risto Meronen and professional middleweight prospect Amin Asikainen hoped Tolppola to move more and use his jab. The round was bipartite, with Orlando controlling the first half and Tolppola the last part. The writer of this marked the very even round for Orlando 10-9.

6. Round

Juho “TNT” Tolppola started to move sideways early in the round and controlled the action clearly. Approaching the end Orlando was again able to press to the close quarters where he had the control. Another very close round, which I gave for Tolppola 10-9 because of the better start.

7. Round

The heated exchanging continued in the seventh round but neither fighter seemed to do any real damage until the end of the round where Orlando landed a couple of times heavily. Tolppola took the shots, but the Italian captured the round 10-9.

8. Round

Early in the eighth round Tolppola punched determinedly, but got a bit over-excited and Orlando was again able to flurry from inside. Tolppola improved as the round progressed, but I gave this close round for Orlando 10-9.

9. Round

Early in the round Orlando landed a right hand that opened a minor cut above Tolppola’s left eye. Punches were thrown with bad intentions throughout the round and in the end Tolppola landed more often. The round went narrowly for Tolppola 10-9.

10. Round

The hard fighting continued through the round very evenly. Punches were traded all the time without any letup. It was very difficult to find a winner from this round, but I gave it for Tolppola 10-9 based on a good punch landed late in the round.

11. Round

Halfway in the round Tolppola landed an excellent left hook but the experienced and very strong-chinned Orlando did not wobble, instead he kept throwing punches. The close round went for Tolppola 10-9 based on harder landed shots.

12. Round

After touching gloves the action did not continue with fierce punch-out as you could have expected, but the fighters began a psychological war by staying careful. Tolppola had the more patience and he was able to counter with his right cross as Orlando attacked. It was the first time in the fight when either fighter was wobbled. Tolppola followed up with a left hook but Orlando survived by clinching. Late in the round Orlando landed too but the round was clearly Tolppola’s 10-9.

I had Tolppola ahead by 115-113. The bout included so many close rounds however that any outcome would have been acceptable.

Out of the official judges two had Michéle Orlando ahead by 115-113 while one voted 115-113 in favour of Juho Tolppola. Thus the Italian got a worthy victory under his belt. A split decision loss against a good opponent in a fierce fight hardly dropped Tolppola’s status in the international rankings either, quite the opposite. The 23-year-old Finn got some worthy experience from a fast-paced 12-rounder fought in a foreign country, and he demonstrated that he was able to battle evenly with an opponent of good calibre. That gives good promises for the future. “They fought with everything they had”, as the broadcaster Risto Meronen put it.

Boxing.fi reached Tolppola via phone right after the contest.

Tolppola sounded to be in good condition and also with good humour after the hard battle. – I think I fought well. The fight would have been winnable had I fought a bit better, Tolppola told. – I should have kept the opponent further away with crosses and move more sideways. Tolppola wasn’t surprised by the scorecards – I knew how the conditions were when I came here. But this was an even wrestle and probably a difficult one to score, Tolppola speculated.

Miika Forsström

Juho Tolppola

2005-02-25T09:48:24Z

Miika:

Amateur career: 173 bouts, 135 wins. European Championship bronze medallist 2000. Finnish Champion 1998, 2000, 2001. Tammer-tournament winner, GeeBee-tournament winner.

Picture of Tolppola: [http://www.boxing.fi/kuvatc/juhotolppola1.jpg]

Amin Asikainen

2005-02-25T09:45:48Z

Miika:

Amateur career: 175 fights, 135 wins. Finnish Champion -96, -98, -99.
Tammer-tournament winner, GeeBee-tournament winner, Copenhagen Box
Open-tournament winner, Karl Leman-tournament winner.

Picture of Asikainen: [[file:http://www.boxing.fi/kuvatc/idi.jpg]]