Micki Nielsen put in a brave performance to overcome his toughest career test and retain his WBC International Cruiserweight title against Mirko Larghetti on Saturday night at the Albertslund Musikteatret in Copenhagen.
The Danish southpaw broke his hand in the sixth-round, but fought on to secure a unanimous points victory over the former World title challenger. Nielsen now faces an injury break of up to eight weeks.
‘’It’s obviously a shame that I’ve injured my hand, but that’s what happens in boxing, and I don’t take the news too hard,’’ said Nielsen.
The fight against Larghetti was undoubtedly the toughest in the career of the 23-year-old Albertslund boxer. He got off to a spectacular start and dominated the Italian in the opening rounds, working well behind his jab and landing several good combinations.
In the latter stages, while Nielsen was suffering from his broken hand, the Italian begun to take the offensive and pile on the pressure.
“In the sixth round my left hand suddenly hurt, and I think this must be when I injured it. This is why I couldn’t keep him at proper distance and invited him a little more into the fight,” said Nielsen.
In the 12th round Larghetti gave everything to stop Micki Nielsen to take the title back home to Italy.
“Larghetti was a really tough opponent and he did everything to stop me in the last round. I had devoted much effort in the beginning, so I lacked a bit of energy at the end. I was under pressure, but I still felt in control,” said Nielsen.
“It was my first fight over 12 rounds, and I’ve learned a lot. I think I’ve proved that I can box on a top international level, and when I come back from my injury break, I’m ready to challenge even better fighters.”
“I can still develop my skills a lot, and I’m going to work hard to the get to the top of my division. On Saturday, I took the first big step forwards my world title dream.”
Promotor Nisse Sauerland has praised Nielsen for his ‘heroic performance’ in the ring. ‘’Micki showed real heart to fight on with his broken hand. Micki put in a heroic performance against a World-class opponent. He proved himself on Saturday night, and there a big things ahead for him!’’
The judges scores the fight 116-112, 116-112 and 117-112 all in favour of Nielsen.
