July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Monday, July 23, 2001 - Web posted at 14:43:55 GMT

Simon wins WBO middleweight crown

HARRY Simon's gamble to relinquish the junior World Boxing Organisation (WBO) middleweight world title for the vacant middleweight crown paid off handsomely when he defeated Frenchman Hacine Cherifi in a 12-round contest in Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayoman, Puerto Rico yesterday morning.

Except for the first round which was evenly contested, Simon dominated the rest of the rounds thanks to his hand speed and footwork that saw him going all the way against his 33-year-old, tough-as-teak French opponent.

At the end of the 12 rounds the three judges ruled in favour of Simon, giving him scores of 117 to 110, 117 to 111 and 119 to 108.

Simon has now won all his 22 professional fights with 17 of these ending in stoppages.

Simon's victory also paved the way for the much anticipated showdown between himself and Puerto Rico's Felix 'Tito' Trinidad who is rated the best in the middleweight division.

Trinidad was Simon's guest at ringside and gleaned all the attention from Simon and Cherifi who were sweating it out in the ring.

The Namibian world champion had made it clear on numerous occasions that he has run out of worthwhile opponents and only the likes of Trinidad will be able to match him.

While awaiting the judges' decision at the end of the 12 rounds Simon threw down the gauntlet to Trinidad whose nickname, Tito, he shouted out several times much to the dismay of the Puerto Rican crowd who booed him all the way.

Whether or not Namibia's 'Terminator' and Puerto Rico's 'Tito' will eventually get down to business will be a subject of discussion between their managers and promoters.

But it looks as if Simon will have to wait for Trinidad to unify the WBA crown with Bernard Hopkins' WBC and IBF versions in September before the Namibia versus Puerto Rico showdown can eventually take place.

And that would mean a big opportunity for Simon to grab all four middleweight belts from the winner between Trinidad and Hopkins.

In the meantime, ringside commentators have advised Simon to take on mandatory challenger Englishman Howard Eastman who is unbeaten and is also the number one challenger for Trinidad's WBA title. - Nampa

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