By Per Ake Persson

Hamburg, Germany - Welterweight contender Sebastian "Hafen Basti" Formella (21-0) upset IBO champ Thulani Mbenga (15-1) and won a close points victory to capture the title in the headliner of EC Boxing´s show at the CU Hall.

It was scored 116-112, 115-112 and 114-113 for the new champion in what was a major upset.

Light heavyweight Igor Mikhalkin (23-2) showed his class as he outboxed Timur Nikarhoev (21-2) to win the IBO interim title. Mikhalkin, a masterful craftsman, got the job done outboxing his opponent but could never hurt his opponent. It was scored 120-108 on all cards.

The "real" IBO champ is Sven Fornling and he is nursing an injured leg in Malmoe, Sweden.

Cruiserweight Danilo Milalicic (20-1) knocked out washed up veteran Kai Kurzawa (38-9) 40 seconds into the first round of their scheduled ten-rounder. Kurzawa was once a well regarded prospect and was promoted by Sauerland Event but that was then and today he is a veteran with a fragile chin.

In heavyweight action Michael Wallisch (20-2) stopped Bosnian Abdulnaser Delalic (5-5) in the second.

Erik Pfeifer (5-0) stopped Colombian veteran Epifanio Mendoza in the second and Belgian Jack Mulowai (6-0-1) outscored durable Pole Artur Kubiak over four winning every round along the way.