Belgian boxer Antoine Vanackère claimed the vacant International IBF super-lightweight title on Saturday at the Blocry sports hall in Louvain La Neuve.
Vanackère (29) defeated Arblin Kaba, an Italian boxer of Albanian origin, adding another victory to his 22-win record with only a single loss.
Kaba, a former Italian and WBC Mediterranean champion, proved a worthy contender and stood up to the favourite local boxer at the beginning of the fight. However, as the rounds progressed and cheered on by the crowd, Vanackère gradually neutralised and dominated Kaba during the latter half of the fight.
Judges Alain Hemeleers, Marco Marziolo, and Alexander Plumann respectively scored the match 98-92, 96-94, and 98-92, affirming the Belgian boxer’s superiority and crowning him the new International IBF champion.
This victory comes three years after Vanackère won his first Continental IBO title at Stade Roi Baudouin in July 2021, which he successfully defended twice in 2022 and 2023.
Notably touched when the scores were announced, the win marks a significant milestone in Vanackère's career, cementing his name amongst the four major international boxing federations’ honours.
