the essential
This Saturday, April 27, the Lot-et-Garonnais won in Marseille against his compatriot Jordan Rodriguez and therefore maintains every chance of offering himself a fight for the world title.
Samir Ziani had arranged to meet his followers at Boxing Day Marseille, in the Vannier room. For this highly anticipated fight, the Villeneuvois faced Isérois Jordan Rodriguez, undefeated After nine fights. The latter, a former member of the French amateur team, was a real threat for Lot-et-Garonnais. But the 33-year-old boxer lived up to expectations.
A fairly balanced start to the fight
Entering the ring with an Olympique de Marseille jacket, Jordan Rodriguez wanted to put the public in the pocket. Missed. Presented as one of the “greatest French boxers” by the evening announcer, Samir Ziani was popular with the public. The start of the fight, fought over ten three-minute rounds, reveals two very different styles. The Isérois throws fewer punches, but is precise, taking the advantage at the start of the match. For his part, Villeneuvois is very offensive, without necessarily hitting the right areas.
After the first two rounds, the suspense is total. But the Lot-et-Garonnais increased the intensity from the third round, repeatedly forcing his opponent into the ropes. Dominated, Rodriguez tries to be more offensive, but comes up against his opponent’s counterattacks. Ziani clearly has the upper hand over his opponent. An impression confirmed in the fourth act, even if the Isérois appears quite serene given his sometimes casual attitude. The fifth round follows the same pattern. Midway through the match, the Villeneuvois, even if he was hit in the arcade, gained the upper hand over an already blunted opponent.
Samir Ziani wearing it, as usual
Dominated in the first part of the fight, Berjallien finally showed himself a little more offensive during the sixth round. The fight becomes an intense hand-to-hand combat. Something that does not displease Samir Ziani. The Villeneuvois masters the rhythm. His opponent appears more and more blunt. With courage, he tries to deliver blows, but also loses lucidity, offering opportunities to Lot-et-Garonnais to do harm. Impressive on a physical level, the boxer from the bastide, municipal councilor alongside Guillaume Lepers, is sharp against an opponent who is losing momentum.
The seventh and eighth rounds confirm Villeneuvois’ mastery, as he wishes in the fight. The last two rounds saw Rodriguez try his best. But Ziani is in complete control against a physically inferior opponent. The tenth round saw no difference between the two men. The judges must decide the winner. Logically, and without any real suspense, Lot-et-Garonnais won on points (96-93, 97-92, 99-90), thus securing a fourteenth victory in a row (it has been undefeated since the end of 2016). But above all, the 33-year-old boxer retains his WBC International Silver belt, and can still believe in a fight for the world title in the super featherweight category (– 59 kg) in the very near future.
