Gomez and Özen win in Hamburg

Former WBC cruiserweight champion Juan Carlos Gómez (left) continues his successful comeback at his old weight. “The Black Panther” scored a lopsided unanimous decision win against overmatched journeyman Jindrich Velecky (right) in front of 2,000 fans at the CU Arena in Hamburg, Germany, on Saturday night.

Gomez dominated the fight from the opening to the final bell and connected at will with single shots as well as nice combinations. However, the 40-year-old Cuban defector couldn’t finish the tough Czech who managed to survive eight rounds.

Local hero Ismail Özen outworked late substitute Vladimir Fecko over eight rounds using only his left arm. Because of an injury in his right elbow, super middleweight contender Özen barely ever threw shots with his right but managed to take care of Fecko, sending him to the canvas twice only with his jab and a couple of left hooks.

Fecko fired back but couldn’t hurt Özen who donates his purse to his social project “Kampf Deines Lebens” (“Fight of your life”) which helps criminal teenager to get back on track.

On the undercard light heavyweight prospect Abel Gevor stopped previously unbeaten Ricards Bolotniks in the third. It was Gevor’s fourth win in as many pro fights. Cruiserweight contender Yavuz Keles was disqualified in the first round against Leon Harth for repeated misconduct. 18-year-old lightweight Tunahan Keser scored the first win of his young pro career in a rematch against Petr Gyna.

In August Gyna and Keser fought to a draw over four rounds. This time Hamburg based Keser got the better end of a split decision.