31 years ago
Chris Eubank vs Graciano Rocchigiani
Date: 5th February 1994
Venue: Deutschlandhalle, Charlottenburg, GermanyTitle: WBO World Super-middleweight Title
Promoter: Universum Box-Promotion
Referee: Genaro Rodriguez
Tv: Fox Sports & Eurosport
Chris Eubank
(
35
-
0
-
2
)
Weight: 168 lbs
Graciano Rocchigiani
(
35
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 163¾ lbs
On February 5, 1994, the boxing world turned its attention to the Deutschlandhalle in Charlottenburg, Germany, where WBO Super Middleweight champion Chris Eubank put his title on the line against undefeated local hero Graciano Rocchigiani. The bout, promoted by Universum Box-Promotion, marked Eubank's ninth defence of his crown and his first fight on German soil. Both fighters entered the ring with impressive records: Eubank at 35-0-2 and Rocchigiani at 35-0.
The fight was closely contested, with Eubank's tactical approach clashing against Rocchigiani's determined challenge. Despite entering as the heavier man at 168 lbs compared to Rocchigiani's 163¾ lbs, Eubank found imposing his will on the German fighter difficult. The champion's attempts to target the body were largely unsuccessful, and he could not lower his guard throughout the bout, indicating the constant threat posed by Rocchigiani.
As the final bell rang, the outcome was far from certain. The judges' scorecards reflected the competitive nature of the fight, with Mike Glienna scoring it 114-113, Cesar Ramos 115-113, and Frank Skilbred delivering a wider 118-109, all in favour of Eubank. The unanimous decision victory for Eubank was met with disapproval from the partisan German crowd, who felt their fighter had been robbed. Rocchigiani's promoter, Peter Kohl, who had invested heavily in bringing Eubank to Germany, expressed his disappointment, particularly criticizing the wide margin on Skilbred's scorecard.
The aftermath of the fight saw contrasting reactions. While Eubank fully endorsed the decision, his promoter, Barry Hearn, took a more diplomatic approach, acknowledging the difficulty in judging fights. The bout, while exciting, was criticized for its poor technical level, raising questions about Eubank's ability to compete with other world champions like James Toney and Michael Nunn. Despite the controversy, the victory improved Eubank's record to 36-0-2, while Rocchigiani suffered his first professional defeat.
This fight marked a significant moment in Eubank's career, as it was part of a planned global expansion of his brand. Hearn saw the Berlin venture as the beginning of Eubank's launch as an international star, with offers from various parts of the world. The event, broadcast on Fox Sports and Eurosport showcased Eubank's ability to draw crowds and create intrigue, even in hostile territory. However, the close nature of the contest and the subsequent controversy highlighted the challenges Eubank would face as he sought to establish himself as a dominant force in the super middleweight division.