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29.12.2009:
Appearing in front of his Vienna fans on the second Christmas
day (Dec. 26), Fight Production’s Gogi Knezevic’s present
to Slovakian opponent Marian Gabris wasn’t nearly as peaceful as
the occasion might suggest. The Slovakian journeyman was
mercilessly stopped in just two rounds, becoming ‘Lionheart’
Knezevic’ third straight knockout victim since his setback
against Frenchman Cedric Vitu earlier this year.
When the fight at the Stadthalle (City Hall) started, Gabris
surprised with his enthusiasm to give it a go against the huge
favourite. In the second round, however, Knezevic found the key
to subdue the 25-year-old Slovakian, hurting him badly with only
the second body shot he threw. Referee Ernst Salzgeber called
Gogi back in after Gabris got up from the mandatory eight-count
and the Austrian champion wasted little time to finish the job
with the very next hit downstairs depositing Gabris on the
canvas. Knezevic honoured his Serbian roots by celebrating with
both the Austrian and Serbian flags in the ring.
The 30-year-old Austrian certainly let out his frustrations of
having to pass by a chance to win the World Boxing Federation
middleweight crown against champion Kreshnik Qato last October,
when Knezevic had to withdraw due to illness. Now with a new
record of 17-2-1 (8 KO’s), Gogi is optimistic again that a new
title chance in 2010 can be arranged for him.
“Maybe we look for Qato again, maybe we go another route, but in
any case, Gogi now deserves another shot at a title,” said
manager Olaf Schroeder. |
