Dorin Dominates Balbi In Rematch

By Ed Ludwig

01.06 - Leonard Dorin (21-0 7 KO’s) successfully defended his WBA Lightweight crown with a twelve round unanimous decision over Raul Balbi (49-6-1 33 KO’s). From the opening bell Dorin controlled the fight by landing numerous power shots and forcing Balbi to back peddle for much of the bout. The ninth round Dorin started to tire and his eye was swelling. The tide however did not change as Dorin came out strong in the tenth. In the eleventh round Dorin landed a solid left hook that put Balbi down and he beat the count. Both fighters came out hard in the final round with Balbi landing the best punch but he was unable to press the action.

In the end Dorin won by unanimous decision. The official scorecard read 118-111, 117-112 and 118-110. I gave it to the champ 119-109. It was an exciting battle although it was nothing like the first one. The officiating was horrible as referee John Coyle of England was late in breaking up the clinches and letting both men hit behind the head. Dorin fought the entire tenth round with loose tape and Coyle did nothing. The fans in Bucharest appeared to have a great evening chanting Dorin’s name through out the fight.

Under Card Results:

Ansulo Charden (13-4 8 KO’s) TKO 1 Alex Hilton (37-9 23 KO’s)

Dale Brown (28-2-1 18 KO’s) TKO 8 Yohan Gimenez (14-6 2 KO’s)

Jean Francois Bergeron (15-0 11 KO’s) TKO 8 Derek Brown (11-2-1 9 KO’s)

Adrian Diaconu (7-0 4 KO’s) TKO 3 Ganny Davidovas (10-4-1 6 KO’s)

Phillip N’dou (27-1 26 KO’s) TKO 6 Claudio Martinet (61-11-2 26 KO’s)

N’dou wins the WBC International Featherweight Title