Athlete of the Week on RRI – Boxer Cristian Ciocan
Cristian Ciocan has defeated French boxer Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf
Florin Orban, 23.05.2017, 12:42
Romanian boxer Cristian Ciocan, also known as Christian Hammer, his ring name, successfully defended his WBO heavyweight European title. In a boxing gala hosted by Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany last week, Cristian Ciocan defeated the Algerian-born French boxer Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf. The referees’ decision was unanimous. Apart from dominating his opponent throughout the ten rounds, Ciocan even managed to send Benmakhlouf to the floor in the sixth round.
For his remarkable achievement, we have designated Cristian Ciocan Athlete of the Week on RRI.
Cristian Ciocan was born on September 27, 1987 in Galati, northeastern Romania. He became a professional boxer in 2008. In September 2012 he won the WBO heavyweight European title for the first time in his career after defeating Danny Williams of Great Britain by KO as part of a boxing gala held in Gottingen, Germany. He’s undefeated since 2015, when he withdrew after eight rounds of boxing against Tyson Fury of Great Britain in London. Had he defeated Fury, Ciocan could have challenged the world champion at the time, Vladimir Klitschko of Ukraine. He reclaimed his WBO belt in October 2016 in Hamburg, defeating the Turkish-born German boxer Erkan Teper, whom he defeated on points.
His record sheet includes 22 wins, of which 12 by KO, as well as four defeats. According to sport.ro website, Cristian Ciocan is now ranked 9th in the world heavyweight standings. Anthony Joshua of Great Britain tops the standings, followed by Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine. (Translated by V. Palcu)
