Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Bruwer & Andreas Kotelnik vs. Alexander Benidze RBR

Danny (er, Billy The Kid) Bruwer may not be a player on the world scene - hell, barely top five domestically in a country that yields some okay talent but certainly not too much of a boxing powerhouse and certainly not at the higher weights - but this was a peach of a performance.

Shame if anyone who follows the CW division missed it.

I think Usyk comes off the Bruwer test smelling a lot rosier than Mchunu does off his roughly equatable Wilson test, personally - and with a quarter the pro experience heading in. Anyone disagree?

(note: I had Mchunu pitching a shutout through eight but he faded and lost the last two and was seriously hurt by Wilson at the very end...and Wilson is hardly in a different class than Bruwer...)

 

They are showing Kotelnik vs. Benidze now on delay. :good

 

Pretty telling, Usyk dominating and knocking out a very similar level opponent (both Wilson and Bruwer had only been stopped once heading into their respective meetings with Mchunu and Usyk) than someone who many were already dubbing the best of the non-titlists at cruiser. :think

 

Andreas Kotelnik vs. Alexander Benidze, 8 rounds @ welterweight

 

A fond reception for Kotelya. :thumbsup

(Lviv is his actual hometown)

 

First time back in over 4 years, man.

If he went the same route as Dmitry Kirilov (taking on a prospect who is much worse than he could have easily handled in his prime) it could easily backfire.

 

Round 1

Kotelnik is jabbing at Benidze from long range, stepping in, not following up, lingering a bit too long. Benidze keeps his arms crossed against his furry chest and lobs in body shots, keeping his right glove tucked up by his chin as he cautiously steps in and out. Kotelnik blocks, steps back, and jabs.

10-9 Kotelnik, uneventful

 

:yikes

Did you forget about it?

This was Usyk's most complete performance yet in the pros, I think.

 

Round 2

Kotelnik is throwing single jabs and making full revolutions around Benidze. Power sprays up top by Benidze, just letting overhand rights fly and stabbing up with his left in between. Kotelnik blocks everything on his differently colored gloves (left blue, right yellow) and waves them in the air in front of his face in between the bursts of Benidze, perhaps to create some confusing visual over-stimulation. Lead rights dropped in from a safe distance by Kotelnik after circling out. Big looping right by Benidze jumping in, grazing Kotelnik's temple. Benidze leans on Kotelnik, who pulls the chair out from under him and pops him with a counter right above Benidze's left ear, taking his equlibrium. Benidze tangles up his own legs attempting to clinch and goes down. Benidze is up immediately. Kotelnik is emboldened, jumping on him with combinations and putting a hook on the body.

10-8 Kotelnik

20-17 Kotelnik