Матч: Yauheni Dauhaliavets vs. Jonathan José Eniz & Mikhail Dauhaliavets vs. Víctor Hugo Exner RBR

Ref warns Dauhaliavets sternly for pushing down on Eniz's nape. Any more shenanigans from either, he's primed to dock points.

 

I actually have it level. El Potro fighting his ass off for somebody that was flown in coach from Buenos Aires with the sole purpose of making Dauhaliavets look good on TV heading into the Chelokhsaev rematch.

 

The commentators - who are mentioning "Anus" far more than Dauhaliavets' name, as he is having flashier and more frequent eye-catching moments (although Матч is bending over backwards to find mostly Dauhaliavets-flattering highlights between rounds) - are casually throwing around names like "Matthysse" and "Maidana" in conversation as they watch. I'm sure they're not suggesting Eniz is anywhere close to his famous countrymen's greatness, but they're likely making the point that Argentina has a strong boxing tradition and even journeymen from there (as with, say, the Philippines) are no joke and not to be taken lightly.

 

Dauhaliavets is again committing to actually putting zip on his left jab, and doubling up on it without "noodling". When he succeeds in doing that, and brings the heat relentlessly on Eniz with the 1-2 cutting the ring off, he is able to put the slippery lefty in his place. Dauhaliavets buzzes him repeatedly in round eight and by its final minute has shut him down offensively.

 

Eniz's corner has caked tons of Vaseline on the left half of his face. I hadn't even realized he was cut, so they're doing a fine job.

 

Right hooks downstairs by Eniz, stepping in, unafraid. Dauhaliavets is trotting out in a spiral, hoping to get full extension on his money punch(es), the 1-2. Eniz recognizes this and crowds him, staying in his chest, guard raised as Dauhaliavets' left jabs patter onto it, elbows bunched at his navel, ducking and rising, throwing right hooks at the body and chopping lefts up top. Dauhaliavets looks a tad uncomfortable getting backed up.

 

Dauhaliavets comes out with a sense of urgency verging on desperation, maybe sensing the outcome hanging in the balance and the risk of getting upset. He circles with quicker and more fluid leg movement than we've seen from him all day, popping jabs in multiples into the head of Eniz no matter whether he's crouched or upright. Dauhaliavets throwing left hook and right hand combos after circling rapidly by Eniz, bowing in with earmuffs on to block Eniz's counter flurries. Eniz still the one coming forward as in the ninth but Dauhaliavets taking away initiative by using lateral skips to prevent Eniz from ever getting into body punching range. NICE straight counters by Dauhaliavets, walking Eniz onto a couple of stiff crosses before the bell. Eniz absorbs them well.

10-9 Dauhaliavets, but that only salvages the draw for him on my card. Let's see how close a call w/ the official judges, however...

 

Eniz drops to his knees after the final bell and gestures up to heaven giving his thanks. Even if the verdict doesn't go his way, this was a classy and gutsy road warrior performance, maybe the standard-bearer of the year so far.

 

Official cards:

in Russian
in Russian
in Russian

UD for Dauhaliavets (how do I know it was unanimous? Well, the scores were read quickly and not divided up for dramatic effect, with no mention of Eniz's name)

 

Eniz takes it graciously, but his coach is visibly annoyed, feeling his man deserved it.

 

Yeah. Not exactly a star making event for Dauhaliavets...both his brother and his rival Chelokhsaev looked considerably better (of course, Eniz is a far more formidable opponent than Exner or Sotvoldiev).

If nothing else Матч has convinced me that Dauhaliavets vs. Chelokhsaev II looks competitive.

 

Just checked... 7/1 underdog, too.

 

This content is protected