JUERGEN Uldedaj outboxed and comprehensively stopped Steven Ward at 2-46 in spherical 5 of their cruiserweight conflict this night. Headlining in Dubai, Ward’s short-notice jaunt resulted in devastating defeat because the affected person winner stepped off, used the jab and went residence with the (beforehand vacant) IBF Worldwide title.
Ward struggled within the opening spherical as Uldedaj landed the left jab repeatedly. The Belfast man was damage with a left hook as nicely, earlier than concentrating on the physique with proper fingers. Steven regrouped early within the second however a late Uldedaj surge turned the tide.
Ward ended the third with a minimize to the left eye. This was a priority given Ward’s historical past of reducing. Uldedaj’s proper hand was a extra urgent concern for his longevity.
Jamie Moore was in Ward’s nook, they usually had a second minimize to cope with in spherical 5. Ward determined to go for broke, launching hooks. The appropriate eye was horrifically slashed and pouring blood. Uldedaj favored what he noticed and piled on the strain. The ref jumped in as Ward lay inclined on the ropes, attempting to duck away and throw determined hooks.
Jamie Moore and the physician have been additionally hovering. TV replays confirmed that the heads had clashed to additional open the injuries. Uldedaj improves his report to 18-1 (7 KOs), whereas Ward falls to 14-3 (4 KOs).
