Jan Bergman still world champion

Wim-Theo van Yperen

27.01 - Many people maybe turn their back to boxing after what happened last week in New York. But The Sweet Science still lives on with a weekend full of new boxing events including two world title fights in the welterweight devision. Previously undefeated WBC champion Shane Mosley lost his title to Vernon Forrest with a unanimous decision. WBU champion Jan Bergman succesfully defended his title by defeating Derek Roche with a unanimous decision.

Jan Bergman, 31 years old from South Africa, captured the title in June of last year and this is his first defence. He entered the ring in the York Hall in Bethnal Green with 40 wins and three losses. Derek Roche from Ireland, entering the ring 26 – 2 (14) at the age of 29, already had a world title fight in a weight devision higher for the IBO title in late 2000. He lost that fight with a TKO in round 2. After that, he came back to welterweight.

In the first round Bergman, who has good footwork, was more active than Roche but was not much more dominant than the challenger. It was a good end of the round by Roche. With some great punches he sent the champion to the corner but Bergman won that first round.

In the second round, Roche tries to make more of those attacks but Bergman defended great and his attacks were more effective. The South-African landed more combinations and harder punches.

During one of the attacks by Roche, the first knock down came. But it was Roche who went to the canvas after being hit by a good left hook by Bergman who also won the round.

After something like 30 seconds in the third round, Roche again sent Bergman to the corner but Bergman’s defence was too good. In the end of the round, Roche again sent the champion to the corner. It was a good finish of the round by Roche but it was Bergman who won the round.

In round 4, Roche had a cut near his left eye, maybe caused by a headclash. Roche came under pressure but was very brave and again he was able to send his opponent to the corner. But it seemed that it didn’t really effect Bergman who also won round 4.

Round 5 went to both fighters. The amount of effective punches was equal I think. Roche was doing well in this round and at the end he was able to send his opponent to the corner again. This time, the attack seemed to have more effect on Bergman. Although he kept on bouncing after it, I think Roche really hurt him with a terrific combination.

The sixth round went to Roche who started the round with some great punches and put more pressure on Bergman.

In the seventh round, Roche continued with great work and Bergman was even out of balance in the ropes after Roche landed a great bodyshot. Although this great attack by the challenger, the round went to Bergman but it was clear that he was a little bit under pressure.

A little cut near the right eye of Bergman in the eighth round was not really effecting him. He knocked down Roche three times to the canvas. One knock down was right before or at the moment that the bell sounded. This round again went to Bergman.

After those knock downs in the previous round, Bergman was dominant and won the ninth round. He landed great combinations and Roche was not able to put the champion under pressure as he did in some earlier rounds (like round 6 and 7).

The tenth round went to both boxers with Roche fighting back and putting some pressure again on Bergman.

Another knock down came in round eleven. Roche went to the canvas after being hit by the right hand of the champion. But Roche proved to be a very brave fighter by fighting back. Bergman won the round.

The sixth knock down came in the twelfth and final round. During this round, which Bergman won, I was wondering if Roche would survive and would be able to go the distance with the champion because Bergman hit him with terrific combinations. But the brave challenger reached the final bell on both feet. As he deserved, because he was boxing a good fight but Bergman was boxing on one level higher. The punches of the champion were too heavy and he was landing more combinations.

Jan Bergman (who must have grandfathers or so from The Netherlands, listening to his name), won the fight with a unanimous decision: 117 – 107, 119 – 106, 119 – 107. According to Roche and also according to me, Bergman is a good boxer and is definitely in the top 10 in the world.

Wim-Theo van Yperen, The Netherlands