Jermain Taylor spends night in hospital :

King Arthur

rules, admits beaten Taylor

Beaten Jermain Taylor admitted Sunday ‘King’ Arthur Abraham still rules after the United States fighter spent Saturday night here in hospital with concussion after he was knocked out in the 12th round.

A straight right from Abraham just six seconds before the final bell smashed through Taylor’s guard and left the American pole-axed on the canvas as Germany’s King Arthur began his Super Six campaign with an impressive win.

Taylor was out for the count and although the 31-year-old staggered to his feet after being revived, he spent the night in hospital as a precaution.

“I am a little hurt, but that comes with the territory,” said Taylor.

“I was in the best shape of my life. He’s a very strong fighter.

“I give it up to him.”

Abraham sent his best wishes to the former WBC and WBO middleweight champion.

“I am very sorry to hear that he is in hospital,” said Abraham, who will next fight Andre Dirrell in the United States on January 23.

“I want to defeat my opponents, but I do not want to harm them.

“The health is the most important thing and I hope Jermain will be fine.

“I was relieved when he got back up to his feet after the knock-down.

“I wish him well. It was an honour to fight him.”

Abraham now has a unblemished 31 wins with 25 knock-outs on his record, while this was Taylor’s fourth defeat of his career from 33 fights.

The Armenian-born Berlin resident caught Taylor on the side of the head in the ninth round with a heavy shot and although the American showed huge courage to box on, Abraham saved his best punch till last.

“He was good, but I was better,” Abraham said.

“It was a great fight in front of a great audience. Now I look forward to returning to America.”

Abraham claimed two points for the win on Saturday with a further bonus point for a knock-out as the Super Six tournament got underway.

“I had been waiting for a hole in his guard the whole night and I finally found it,” said Abraham, the former IBF middleweight champion.

In his next fight, Abraham will face Dirrell, who suffered a close split decision defeat against WBC super-middleweight champion Carl Froch in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“I have not seen a single fight of Dirrell yet,” Abraham said.

“My full focus was on Taylor. I cannot say anything about Dirrell.

“But now I will start preparing for him.

“I want to make the big fights in America and I look forward to coming over in January.

“It will be another great night of boxing.

“I have big plans and I cannot wait to fight in front of the great American fans again.”

BERLIN, Monday , AFP