Abass Baraou Secures WBA Interim Title
Abass Baraou has etched his name into boxing history by securing the WBA interim super-welterweight title after a thrilling points victory against Yoenis Tellez in the United States. This triumph not only marks a significant milestone in Baraou’s career but also positions him to ascend to full world champion status, pending Terence Crawford’s move to 168 pounds on September 13.
Reflections on His Journey
At 30 years old, Baraou reflected on his journey, which has been filled with challenges and perseverance. He expressed to Sport.de the immense significance of hearing the phrase ‘And the new’, after enduring numerous fight cancellations and training setbacks that left him in limbo.
“For me, there was no other option: I must take the title with me,”
he said, acknowledging the years spent in the gym believing in his potential.
Decisive Performance in the Ring
Baraou entered the ring fully aware that a decisive performance was necessary to claim victory in a foreign arena. His aggressive boxing style garnered the admiration of U.S. fans, with some even dubbing the bout a potential “Fight of the Year” due to his explosive finish in the final round. He attributed his success to his extensive experience in tightly contested matches, including a near miss against Jack Culcay, which equipped him with the tools to stay composed and ultimately defeat Tellez.
“The will was there, and then came the experience. I realized my opponent had no clue what was coming. I can apply extreme pressure while still boxing technically and patiently,”
Baraou analyzed. His instinct shone in the twelfth round when he knocked Tellez down, seamlessly transitioning into a southpaw stance to unleash a series of powerful punches that sealed his victory.
“When I saw in his eyes that he had no will left, the killer instinct kicked in,”
he recounted.
Looking Ahead
Following this achievement, Baraou is set to be formally crowned as the full WBA champion once Crawford is stripped of his title, as he is scheduled to face Canelo Alvarez in the super middleweight division next month. With this title, Baraou will become the first male world champion from Germany in the sport, joining the ranks of boxing legends such as Max Schmeling and Noel Mikaelian.
Looking ahead, Baraou is aware that the competitive landscape will bring challengers like Jaron “Boots” Ennis into the mix. Other noteworthy contenders in the vibrant 154-pound division include Sebastian Fundora and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Despite the challenges, Baraou harbors aspirations of defending his title on German soil, expressing a desire to fight at the Rudolf-Weber-Arena in Oberhausen.
As of now, German boxing celebrates its new hero, with Abass Baraou poised to have his name recorded in the annals of the sport, marking his ascension to the status of full WBA world champion at super welterweight on September 13.
