HELSINKI, FINLAND: Icelandic – but licensed in Sweden – heavyweight Gunnar Kolbeinn Kristinsson (16-0) won the vacant Baltic Boxing Union title when Finnish co-challenger Mika Mielonoen (7-2) retired and didn’t come out for the sixth round in the headliner of VPM's show at the classic Kiisahall.
Kolbeinn, the taller man, scored well with his jab and had Mielonen under pressure in the fifth round.
The official reason for Mika’s retirement was a hand injury.
In the chief support, cruiserweight Samuli Karkkainen (20-2) outboxed durable Serbian veteran Stefan Mihailov (8-24-3) and won every round in their six-rounder. Mihalov was cut and rattled a few times but was never hurt.
