Eduard Valentinovich Troyanovsky vs. Josef Zahradník & Batal Zurab Chezhia vs. Dzhamal Usmanov RBR

I guess Maidakov vs. Avetisyan went down as sort of a 'dark match' while they played weird MMA commercials.

 

This is for the vacant WBO Youth light heavyweight title.

 

Chezhia is 9-0 (3), a native of Georgia. Usmanov is 5-0 (3), a southpaw hailing from Ukraine.

 

Round 1

Chezhia is trading left jabs cautiously with Usmanov, who apparently is ambidextrous, starting this match in the orthodox stance. Usmanov a little busier, dropping in long right hands on the side of the head and some flurries on the body. Chezhia is adopting something resembling a Philly shell and roping out jabs up off the lead hip, but Usmanov is swaying backward to dodge them fairly easily. Chezhia tries shoulder-rolling to slip the Usmanov jab & right hand but is still grazed with them despite his efforts. Usmanov leaves his left arm extended and swats down a Chezhia flurry, then pops up his shoulder to deflect an overhand right. NICE whipping left hook and right cross land flush for Usmanov at the bell.

10-9 Usmanov

 

High quality stuff thus far, could get REALLY good if things reaches a full boil.

 

19-19, Chezhia patiently working his way into this, effective from sniping range.

 

I just heard one commentator mention the names Bivol, Kovalev and Beterbiev. Chill, buddy. These boys won't be ready for that level of step-up for a good few years, by which time most of that old guard will either be nearing retirement or looking strictly for big international paydays.

 

Things degenerating a bit in the final ten seconds of round three, with each man hitting the other behind the head as they get locked in a spinning embrace. The ref has a hard time assuming control.

Tough round to score. Usmanov more aggressive but smothering his work inside...landing more often, but uglier, often with just half-scoring blows.

29-28 Usmanov

 

Usmanov just imposing his superior brawn and strength, getting the better of Chezhia up close through sheer physicality.

At range, the jabs and high javelin rights of Chezhia prove far more precise.

 

Giving the fourth to Chezhia, rocked Usmanov a couple of times with some well-timed short counter overhand rights on the jaw.

38-38

 

Clinchfest. Little this ref can do really, these guys are just predisposed to it with their styles and jittery manner of fighting (lots of posing on the outside, daring each other to come in, then both charging & punching at the same time)

 

The number of times he called break was at least in double-digits that round; I lost count.

 

Usmanov was actually put on the backfoot (under siege from a fluttering triple jab) for a change in the fifth. Neither landed much clean, but..

10-9 Chezhia

48-47 Chezhia