The IBF will be reviewing the recent middleweight title clash between Arthur Abraham and Edison Miranda which took place September 26 in Wetzlar, Germany. Of particular interest will be the controversial fifth round when at different points it appeared that the bout would go to the scorecards or Miranda would be a TKO winner before the brutal bout was resumed.

A four-and-a-half minute timeout was called with :54 left in the round after an intentional head butt by Miranda behind the ear of Abraham. During the time given to Abraham to recover from the foul, the ring doctor came to the ropes to examine him. The Doctor was concerned with the blood coming from Abraham's mouth, examining him for about two minutes, before indicating to referee Randy Neumann that the fight should be stopped.

Neumann said to IBF supervisor Lindsey Tucker, "He can't fight. What do you want to do? An intentional foul we go to the cards?" Neumann then deducted two points from Miranda.

Back at the scorer's table, Neumann was heard saying, "He butted him in the head. That didn't cut the lip. It's an intentional foul. Let's go to the cards, We'll go to the cards."

It has pointed out to Neumann by Miranda's promoter Leon Margules that Abraham couldn't continue due the cut in his mouth and not due to an injury sustained from the foul. "That's true," stated Neumann. "TKO. The head butt was up here. TKO. It's a TKO. He can't continue because of the lip. He loses two points, but he wins a TKO."

Abraham's Team argued to no avail that the head butt caused the cut in Abraham's mouth. "The head butt was up here," Neumann explained.

"So he can continue," mediated Tucker.

"Go on," Neumann was told by Abraham's representative.

The drama wasn't over yet, however. Neumann walked over to Abraham saying, "OK, we're going to fight. You want to fight?"

Abraham answered "no."

At first.

But after conferring with his team, Abraham, who had sustained a broken jaw, shrugged his shoulders and moments later the fight continued with the champion's swollen jaw and bloody mouth hanging wide open for the rest of the brutal twelve round encounter.

Another incident that will likely be looked at is the punch which Miranda was deducted a point for in the eleventh round. Replays show the blow to be a shot on the belt line that caused Abraham some distress, prompting Neumann to deduct a point and give the champion, who was fading fast by that point, 2:18 in recovery time.

If the IBF does order a rematch, which seems fair under the circumstances, it would certainly be an attractive fight and the decision fight again would get no complaints. Another possibility is that in the event Abraham is out of action for an extended period, Miranda could fight for an interim version of the title in the meantime.

Even if an immediate rematch isn't ordered, Abraham and Miranda should meet again as this matchup has all the ingredients for a classic boxing rivalry.

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In related news, all is going well for Abraham five days after what is being called 'The Battle at Wetzlar.' "I have recovered well here in the hospital," said Abraham. "Naturally I had to get used to the titanium plates in my jaw, but this is no problem."

In a few weeks, he plans to begin with fitness training and in about three months he'll begin regular box training.

"When I leave the hospital, I will have my world champion's belt," commented King Arthur. "That is the most important." He added, "The fact that my achievement is recognized in the USA pleases me and, of course, makes me proud. I think next year the fans will see me fight live in America."

Now a media marathon awaits the champion. On Sunday, he is a studio guest on the popular German TV show "Sport im Osten." On Monday he heads to Munich to appear on "Blickpunkt Sport." On Tuesday it's back to Berlin for ARD. Then he'll fly to Chicago where he will be part of the German TV coverage of Sauerland stablemate Nikolai Valuev's clash with Monte Barrett.