Bigger's Better XXVI: Liepaja, Latvia & Mairis Briedis vs. Lubos Suda RBR

Round 1

Djeko is dancing around Kartozia, extending the jab and hooking off it, staying by the ropes but moving quickly enough not to get trapped on them. Kartozia is firing up-jabs and right hands alternating between overhand fastball pitches and ramped straights, pushing off the back foot. Kartozia is coming very close but not landing cleanly as Djeko keeps moving. 1-1-2 by Djeko, landing on the side and back of the head and immediately tying up before Kartozia can respond. Djeko hops to his left, throws a quick 1-2, and moves in to tie up again. Djeko circles away, putting his long jab in Kartozia's face. Djeko is being a pain in the ass, managing to outbox Kartozia, but very wary of his power having only felt it muted in the form of half-blocked shots. Long clinch at the bell.

10-9 Djeko

 

Round 2

Djeko is backed up as Kartozia hurls right hands over the top. Djeko is sliding back, planting roots, leaning in with a 1-2, and then striking the tent and moving on. Lots of movement by Djeko, not wanting to stand in with Kartozia. Djeko is slamming his forearm into Kartozia's face while corking up a left hook without space to let it turn over. Hard jabs by Djeko backing Kartozia off. Djeko slams Kartozia into a corner with the 1-2. Kartozia covers his face with both arms, not fighting back. Time out. Gum shield replaced for Kartozia. Time in. Kartozia now flurries, standing on tiptoe and tilting forward, pushing Djeko to the ropes. Clinch. Break. Djeko darts in and jabs into Kartozia's guard. They both load up overhand rights and miss, passing right by each other. Djeko ducks in past another Kartozia overhand and ties up. Sloppy last twenty seconds. Lots of bucking and grinding in the clinch.

10-9 Djeko

20-18 Djeko

 

Round 3

Djeko is sticking his jab in from outside, then hustling in to close the distance behind it and stifling any counterattack from Kartozia before pushing off and darting out again, throwing jabs and long right uppercuts as he circles. Kartozia is diving in low, trying to get his arms around Djeko's waist. He eats some hooks and looping rights on the temples as Djeko keeps his elbows down and just curls in each fist. Kartozia gets close enough to lean on Djeko's chest, resting until the ref breaks them apart. WILD haymakers from Kartozia, missing with the left and grazing with a 360° windmilled right. Djeko is pushing down on the back of Kartozia's neck in the clinch. Right hand up top by Kartozia. Another clinch. Djeko buzzes Kartozia's hairline with a 1-2 and jumps through a Kartozia right hand to clinch.

10-9 Djeko

30-27 Djeko

 

Official cards:

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UD for Joel Djeko

 

:rofl That was crazy.

Kartozia went to hoist Djeko up in the air in a very sportsmanlike and well-intentioned gesture to help celebrate him getting the nod, but Djeko was too heavy and/or he was too weakened and they both fell in a heap. atsch

They both got up laughing. That would have been ridiculous if Djeko had to forfeit his spot in the finals because the knucklehead he just beat injured him while saying congratulations.

 

Semifinal #2:

Sergei Maslobojev vs. Przemyslaw Stepien, 3 rounds @ heavyweight

 

Round 1

Maslobojev is poking the belly and face of Stepien with the fast jab. Stepien is flinching and pulling away. SLIDE-STEP INSIDE, LEFT HOOK TO THE BODY, BIG RIGHT HAND ON THE JAW BY MASLOBOJEV!!! WHAT A COMBINATION! Stepien is down very hard. He manages to get up. Maslobojev pounds him with crisp powerful blows, keeping him on the ropes, straights, hooks, uppercuts. Stepien navigates his way around Maslobojev and ducks low to hold. A few more shots and he goes down again. Plenty of time left, nearly two full minutes. Double uppercut by Maslobojev. Stepien turns and shoulders his way in low on Maslobojev, hoping to lean on him and buy some time. Hard right hands by Maslobojev. Constant head movement by Stepien, preserving him for the moment. Stepien puts his guard up, gloves tight against his face, elbows flicking up to catch some of the body shots as Maslobojev sprinkles them in. Stepien is showing remarkable acuity for survival here. BIG right hand by Maslobojev. Stepien circles away, rolling with the punches.

10-7 Maslobojev

 

Maslo is a beast today.

 

Round 2

Maslobojev is hooking Stepien in the face as he attempts to clinch. Stepien goes to a knee, as Maslobojev keeps firing until he is down. No count.

KO2!!