Patrick Nielsen (14-0, 8 KOs) is the new WBA Intercontinental Middleweight Champion following a spectacular tenth-round KO victory over Gaston Vega (17-5, 6 KOs). Fighting in front of 2,758 fans at a boisterous Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, the 21-year-old stamped his authority on the battle early.

“I am thrilled to be the WBA Intercontinental Champion,” Nielsen said. “This is a big win for me. It was a tough fight. I was provoked badly by Vega and his ‘slayer’ shirt so I wanted to make him pay. I am glad I knocked him out in the end.”

Vega said it was a tough fight. “It was all or nothing for me in the end, I knew it would go one way or the other in the tenth round, I am very, very disappointed that I lost. It was a hard fight.”

Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: “Congratulations to Patrick for a spirited and courageous performance. It was an exciting fight, Vega gave it his all but Patrick´s superior skills and superior power succeeded in the end. This was an important victory for him. He will now enter the WBA rankings and continue his climb to the top. It was a great night of boxing in Frederikshavn with a fantastic atmosphere.”