Boxer Ryno Liebenberg did it all right against Enrico Koelling in Neubrandenburg, in Germany, on Saturday night, only for the judges to get it all wrong.
The South African out-worked, out-thought and out-punched the skilled German in an absorbing 12-rounder, only for two of the three judges to turn in spectacularly inept cards: 117-112 and 116-112. The other judge got it right with a 117-111 card for Liebenberg.
Boxing in Germany has always been a lottery for foreign fighters where it seems only a knockout can be enough to get the nod.
Liebenberg threw more punches and he landed more, as confirmed by Compubox which recorded him out-punching Koelling. All the effective aggression came from Liebenberg, who stepped on the gas from the fourth round and maintained it throughout the rest of the fight.
It was a noble, mature performance by the 32-year-old, although it will be small consolation that most thought he had won easily. The record books will say he didn’t.
Promoter Rodney Berman isn’t taking it lying down. His first order of business on Monday morning will be to appeal the verdict. If a positive result seems fanciful – he may be better served petitioning for a rematch.
The fight itself had few standout moments. The boxers were well-matched and it was less a power struggle than a battle of wits as they tried to outbox each other. Despite his reputation as a supreme boxer, Koelling was more than matched in this department as Liebenberg landed easily and often. His work to the body was especially impressive.
Koelling had his moments but these were sporadic. He just never pressed the action and Liebenberg was able to counter everything he threw.
The South African looked to be a comfortable winner, but German boxing is nothing if not eccentric.
“We wuz robbed”, the original line attributed to the manager of German fighter Max Schmeling in 1932, could well have applied here.
– ANA