Errol 'The Bonecrusher' Zimmerman (103-13-1)Â last fought for GLORY in February when he challenged Rico 'The Prince' Verhoeven for his world heavyweight chamionshiop at GLORY 19 VIRGINIA. The fight ended in the second round when he suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee while executing a kick, resulting in immediate surgery and a long recovery.
GLORY 26 AMSTERDAM marked his return to action. Word from his camp was that there had been at times some difficulty in convincing him the knee was good to go, and that was evident. He was clearly favoring the leg during the fight and it is impossible that his concerns did not affect the quality of his training camp.
Thomas Vanneste (23-8-0)Â had a decent debut at GLORY 22 FRANCE back in June but was taking a massive step up in class and experience by taking the fight with Zimmerman â theoretically. As it turned out, Zimmerman arrived in the ring looking less competition-ready than he has in previous fights. His tactics reflected this. Infamously powerful, Zimmerman can end a fight with one blow â an overhand or a counter knee to the head â and he was content to sit back and wait for that shot to appear.
The well-informed Vanneste had obviously done his homework though. As Zimmerman sought to conserve energy, Vannneste would herd him into a corner and attack the body. His real target was Zimmerman's stamina. It has been questionable at previous instances in his career and this was another; he found himself caught between the conflicting demands of needing to work and trying to conserve his energy.
Vanneste stayed close, stepping off right and left with hooks to the body. Occasionally he would find himself under fire as Zimmerman looked for the right hand, or threw his ever-dangerous knee, but he never seemed to be particularly threatened. Zimmerman could not get the right angle on his punches as Vanneste stayed low and close.
By the third round fatigue was evident in both, with Zimmerman looking exhausted. He tried a late rally but just did not have it in him, and as the seconds ticked away it became increasingly apparent that Vanneste was about to complete an act of giant-killing.
The judges' decision seemed like a formality, but a surprise was in store. Two had it for Vanneste, giving him every round, but one had given every round to Zimmerman. That score raised eyebrows everywhere, but its only effect was to reduce a unanimous decision to a majority decision, slightly less satisfactory for the Belgian Vanneste.
It was supposed to be a triumphant return for Zimmerman but he is clearly not over the psychological effects of the knee injury and was far from his best form. Some more time with a physiotherapist will help strengthen the knee, and his confidence in it.
Thomas Vanneste def. Errol Zimmerman, Majority Decision, R3 (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
