Arthur Abraham Ably Attacks and Conquers Edison Miranda

Last night’s sequel to 2006’s Arthur Abraham – Edison Miranda epic didn’t have its predecessor’s drama or its controversy. Instead it had thunder in the form of Abraham’s unbelievably powerful left hand which dropped Miranda three times in the fourth round.

This fight seemed like a tricky proposition for the Armenian middleweight. He was making his first trip to the United States. He was fighting at Miranda’s veritable home arena in South Florida. He was facing a hostile crowd. He wasn’t going to benefit from kind German judges. His counterpunching style isn’t as highly rated among American judges. He was in the ring with someone who had broken his jaw.

Abraham’s solution was to cover up turtle-style for most of the first and second, absorbing Miranda’s many punches and draining the Colombian’s energy. Abraham emerged from his shell in the third landing some good shots and turning the fight’s momentum.

Nevertheless, the power and decisiveness of Abraham’s vicious and emphatic fourth (see below) was wholly unexpected. Just thirty seconds into the round Abraham landed a square left hook to Miranda’s jaw with left La Pantera wobbled and in a world of trouble. Abraham sensed his opponent’s precariousness and seized the initiative. After missing with a few wild looping lefts Abraham landed a monstrous left hook and sent Miranda down again. The fight was as good as over. Abraham’s next left floored the Colombian again and referee Telis Assimenios mercifully ended the bout.

Post-match Abraham called out two Americans: Oscar De La Hoya and Kelly Pavlik. I’d much rather see him face middleweight king Kelly Pavlik. Prior to tonight’s fight I wasn’t too excited about that match-up. Abraham’s impressive power and in-ring smarts have changed that. He’s no boring German sequestered stiff. He’s going to test Pavlik and hopefully it will happen soon.

Photo Source: Newscom.com