Euro News: Nina Meinke captures IBF featherweight belt, and Jack Culcay retires

German featherweight Nina Meinke (19-3) won the vacant IBF title on a majority decision over Argentinian Daniela Bermudez (32-5-3) in the headliner of P2M’s big show at the Sporthalle in Hamburg. After 12 three-minute rounds the judges had it 118-110, 119-109 and 114-114.

Meinke was cut on the forehead in the second round after an accidental head clash and it kept bleeding throughout a fight that was reported as closer than the two of the scorecards would indicate.

In the chief support heavyweight Peter Kadiru, one of Anthony Joshua’s sparring partners, retained the IBF Intercontinental title with a fifth-round TKO of Djuar El Scheich (now 22-1-1, but don’t let the record fool you). Kadiru is now 19-1.

Also on the bill was German (BDB version) heavyweight champ Viktor Jurk (10-0) who stopped Edonis Berisha (8-2) to retain the title.

In Oslo, Norway, cruiserweights Kevin Melhus (13-0) and Emil Meek (0-1) clashed in a heated all-Norwegian matchup. Meek, with a background in MMA, made his pro debut and did well early on but tired and was floored in the sixth. He got up but then wrestled Melhus to the canvas and had a point deducted. Early in the seventh Meek’s corner threw in the towel.

On the undercard Alexander Martinsen fell ill hours before his fight against Andreas Skarvold Iversen and had to pull out. Instead Iversen fought an exhibition against  Adrian Hagen.

The one undercard fight that did get off the ground saw comebacking welterweight Hadi Srour (5-0) stop late sub Yaroslav Kuzoma (1-2) in the third round. Srour has been inactive for five years after a positive doping test.

Former WBA interim and EBU super welter champion Jack Culcay (33-5) has announced his retirement. In his last fight he was in against Bakhram Murtazaliev and was knocked out in the 11th round after a tremendous fight with the vacant IBF title at stake.

Culcay was an excellent amateur and won the World Championships in 2009, turning pro later the same year. He won the EBU title in 2014 and the WBA interim title in 2015. He lost to Demetrius Andrade in a fight for the WBA “regular” title in 2017. Tough losses against Maciej Sulecki and Sergiy Derevyanchenko followed but Jack came back and became a mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

During his long career Culcay was promoted by Universum, SES, back to Universum, Sauerland Event and in later years by Agon Sports. He always showed up in top shape and gave it all he had. He will stay in boxing as a trainer.

Danish super middle Jakob Bank (14-0) will headline TK Promotions show in Kolding November 23 against an opponent to be announced.