For the first time ever we have got a 3-title world champion at Atomweight, as we moved towards an Undisputed champion in the 102lb weight class following a sensational 10 round war in Germany that saw Christina Rupprecht (14-1-1, 3) over-come Japan's Eri Matsuda (7-2-1, 1) [松田恵里] to unify the WBO and WBA and WBC titles.
The fight started perfectly for Rupprecht who dropped Matsuda in the first 30 seconds. It was a massive start for the local favourite, who couldn’t have dreamed for a better way to kick the fight off. A sharp right hand, right on the chin, sent Matsuda down. Matsuda got to her feet quickly, and looked to get some revenge, but Rupprecht continued to land the better shots through the round.
Matsuda managed to recover well, and got to her boxing in round 2, using her footwork to create space, landing good counters and using the ring, which was huge, to set traps. It’s something she tried through the following few rounds, but with mixed success as the stronger looking Rupprecht seemed to land the better, cleaner, harder, heavier blows in what were close rounds, but ones where the heavier shots were the more eye catching
With Matsuda down at the half-way point, it was clear she needed to change things around, and from round 5 she did exactly that. She left the stick and move and the counter punching behind, to instead take the fight to Rupprecht. She was the one who was coming forward, pressing the action, and forcing the fight, something that really seemed to bother Rupprecht who continued to land the better single shots, but was being comfortably out landed at times, especially to the body, as Matsuda showed the stereotypical samurai spirit.
The crowd, who were clearly behind Rupprecht, began an intermittent “Tina” chant, which seemed to spur on Matsuda, especially in the final 3 rounds as she went all out on an offensive, knowing she was behind, and in a hole. The offensive work of Matsuda seemed to be taking a toll on Rupprecht late on, particularly in round 10, but it was too little too late, with Rupprecht having a big enough lead at the mid way point, and enough with her heavier shots, to take home the victory and the 3 titles.
After 10 rounds, which seemed to get better as they went on, the scorecard were read out, with Rupprecht taking the decision 97-92, which really didn’t reflect the fight, and 96-93 twice, which seemed harsh but did get the right winner.
Following the bout Rupprecht was joined in the ring by IBF champion Sumire Yamanaka (8-0, 3) [山中菫], with the two now expected to face off early next year to complete the 4 title unification of the division.
