By Alexey “Oscar” Potapov at ringside
Photos: K2 Ukraine
WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (23-0, 20 KOs) destroyed Makoto Fuchigami (19-7, 10 KOs) in the third round on Saturday night at the Ice Palace “Terminal” in Brovari, Ukraine. The overmatched Fuchigami was cut by a punch in round one and dropped in round two by a hard Golovkin right hand. Golovkin really unloaded on Fuchigami in round three, putting him down again and it was waved off shortly after. The World Boxing Association has ordered that current “Super Champion” Felix Sturm and Golovkin must fight by September 30, 2012. Golovkin stated after the fight that he wants Sturm next. “If he calls himself a true champion, he must fight me,” said Golovkin.
WBO jr middleweight champion Zaurbek Baysangurov (27-1, 20 KOs) retained his title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Michel Soro (18-1, 11 KOs). Baysangurov started well, but Soro scored a flash knockdown in round two. Zaurbek quickly recovered. During the next several rounds again seized the advantage. The Frenchman gained the advantage in rounds five and six when he shook the champion with some strong combinations. However, in subsequent rounds it was Baysangurov, constantly driven forward by the fans, who seized the advantage and won most exchanges. Soro was a strong contender who created many problems Baysangurov, but in the end the scorecards were 117-111, 116-111, 115-112. Fightnews.com scored it 117-111. It was the first fight, where Baysangurov worked with new trainer Abel Sanchez, who is also the trainer of Gennady Golovkin.
Undefeated IBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight champion Isa Akberbayev (10-0, 7 KOs) had a surprisingly easy win over Argentine puncher Mauro Adrian Ordiales (28-10, 26 KOs), scoring a technical knockout in the third round. The bout was stopped due to a cut.
Former WBA light heavyweight challenger Vyacheslav Uzelkov (26-2, 16 KOs) won by unanimous decision against Uzbek journeyman Ravshanbek Jabbarov (10-3, 5 KOs). Uzelkov was more active and quietly brought the case to a confident victory. His opponent elected to stick with boring defensive tactics. Scores were 76-74, 80-72, 79-74. Fightnews.com score 80-72.
Undefeated Ukrainian heavyweight Andrey Rudenko (21-0, 13 KOs) easily dealt with Georgian Paata Berikashvili (12-14-1, 5 KOs) by TKO in the fourth round.
Azerbaijan light middleweight journeyman Muhitdin Rajapbaev (8-2, 5 KOs) scored a big upset technical knockout in the seventh round against previously undefeated prospect Kostyantyn Rovenskyy (17-1-2, 4 KOs), shocking Ukrainian boxing fans. In the first round, Rajapbaev, imposed an aggressive and entertaining fight. Rovenskyy instead of keeping the opponent at bay with jabs, chose to go to war at close range. The Azerbaijan fighter shook his head with powerful blows. In the third round, a Rajapbaev right hook sent Rovenskyy to the canvas. His face was full of blood. In the sixth round, Rajapbaev was cut over his right eye, and his response was shocking, he began to pummel Rovenskyy who was only saved by the bell. In the seventh round, with the Ukrainian’s face covered in blood and his corner stopped the beatdown by throwing in a towel.
Ukrainian prospect light middleweight Dmytro Nikulin (24-1, 8 KOs) outboxed Georgian journeyman George Ungiadze (18-13, 8 KOs) over eight rounds. Nikulin was more accurate with his punches. In the second round, the Georgian was cut over his right eye. Judges scorecards were 77-76, 78-74, 79-74. Fightnews.com’s score 79-73.
EBA (European Boxing Association) welterweight champion Viktor Plotnykov (28-1, 13 KOs) won by eight round unanimous decision over Nugzar Margvelashvili (23-17, 10 KOs). Plotnikov showed a spectacular and aggressive attack, while his opponent was working jabs and countering. After the third round, Margvelashvili had a few cuts and sustained a broken nose. In the eighth round, Plotnykov dropped Margvelashvili, but the bout went the distance. Scores were 80-72, 80-73, 79-73. Fightnews.com’s score was 80-72.
