HAMBURG, Germany, 20 October 2003 — Mexico’s Julio Cesar Gonzalez snatched the WBO world light heavyweight title here on Saturday when he beat Germany’s defending champion Dariusz Michalczewski on points.
In front of 15,000 fans, the Mexican won on a split decision with 116-112 in his favor from judges Mike Glienna of the United States and Canada’s Harry Davis while German judge Joachim Jacobsen marked it 115-113 for Michalczewski.
The 35-year-old German was hampered by picking up a cut above his left eye in the second round which needed constant attention as his opponent launched a series of right-left combinations to give him the edge.
Michalczewski’s defeat was his first as a professional in 49 fights and it also put an end to his dream of emulating the legendary Rocky Marciano’s record of 49 successive wins which was achieved between 1947 and 1955.
Marciano, the first white man to win the world heavyweight title when he beat Joe Walcott in 1952, had 43 wins inside the distance and was the only boxer to finish his career undefeated.
