ROCKY FIELDING, the underdog from Liverpool, shocked Tyron Zeuge inside five rounds to win a diluted version of the WBA super-middleweight title in Germany.
After a fast start from the unbeaten champion, Fielding landed combinations and heavy shots in the third and fourth rounds to put himself in charge of the contest in the heat of Offenburg.
Fielding was in firm control by the fifth round and when a left uppercut stunned the favourite, the champion retreated to the ropes, where the Scouser landed a sickening bodyshot that forced Zeuge’s trainer to throw in the towel.
“It feels amazing,” said 30-year-old Fielding. “The fact I’ve come to his backyard and stopped him. I’ve been listening to my trainer Jamie Moore and everything he said was on point. I broke him down and Jamie said let’s see where he is after six.”
The WBA have rightly been criticised for creating this needless ‘regular’ title – George Groves, the WBA king, should be the only champion the sanctioning body recognise – yet this victory should open some big doors for Fielding. It marked his sixth straight victory since a one-round loss to Callum Smith in 2015.
“This was my night tonight, I knew that it was a long road back without winning this,” he said. “I’ve come on a long way in the last few years, I have the fear-factor back and I need that to win, I had it big time tonight and produced the goods.
“I’ve had a lot of support back home and I can’t thank the fans that have come out enough. It’s been a great week and it’s just ended in great style.
“I saw he was tiring early and he wasn’t firing back at me. I countered him and made him miss, and I felt really fit in there.
“I’d love to defend it in Liverpool – there’s a rematch clause but I can’t see him wanting to fight me again. I’ll have a rest and get back to the family, we’ll sit down with the team and we’ll see what options are out there, but I’m really thrilled and can’t wait to build on this.”
It was a sensational performance from Fielding, 27-1 (15), and he put himself in line to challenge the winner of the upcoming George Groves-Callum Smith showdown.
