Fight Night Saint-Tropez 4 took place last night in France and featured a main event bout between Kickboxing legend Jerome Le Banner and American Karl Roberson. Le Banner was originally scheduled to fight Maurice Jackson, but Roberson stepped in on short notice.
The first round was a feeling out process between the two, but Le Banner controlled the ring. The controversy came in the second round when with a little over a minute left in the second round Roberson landed a left hand that sent Le Banner to the canvas. Le Banner got up immediately and walked to the corner as if he was expecting an 8 count from the referee, but no count from the referee came and the fight continued. Le Banner went on the attack and was pressuring Roberson towards the ropes, but with less than 30 seconds left in the round another left hand from Roberson sent Le Banner to the canvas. The referee proceeded with a slow count, it took Le Banner 10 seconds just to get up off the canvas, then he walked to the ropes as the referee proceeded with his slow count and then had Le Banner raise his hands and let the fight continue. Over 20 seconds had passed by the time that Le Banner was ready to fight again. What should have been a knockout victory for Roberson didn't happen and the fight continued with the second round ending as soon as the fight was resumed.
The remainder of the fight was close with each man pressing the action at different points. Roberson came out aggressive to start the third round, likely sensing Le Banner was hurt, while Le Banner came out aggressive in the fifth round with the fourth round being pretty even between the two. In the end the judges awarded Le Banner the decision victory.
In other action it was not a good night for Glory veterans. Yohan Lidon scored a third round (T)KO over Jonathan Oliveira, Alexei Papin scored a decision over Danyo Ilunga, and Alexander Vezhevaov defeated Filip Verlinden by decision.
Results:
Jerome Le Banner def. Karl Roberson via Decision
Yohan Lidon def. Jonathan Oliveira via (T)KO in Rd. 3
Alexei Papin def. Danyo Ilunga via Decision
Lizzie Largilliere def. Petchoydying Mor via (T)KO in Rd. 4
Alexander Vezhevatov def. Filip Verlinden via Decision
Fabrice Aurieng def. Yuksel Ayaydin via Decision
Yodwicha Por Boonsit def. Jimmy Vienot via Decision
Frank Munoz def. Zinedine Hameur-Lain via Decision
Sharos Huyer def. Bakari Tounkara via Decision
