David Avanesyan vs. Charlie Navarro & Ruslan Provodnikov vs. Jesus Rodríguez RBR

Ricky Fatton at ringside.

 

Championship frames, heating up a little...

The diminutive Kazakh had been applying pressure well but my impression from only half-watching this whole time is that he's probably too far down to get a decision, with the Venezuelan largely keeping him at the end of the jab and showing no signs of gassing or giving up openings now.

 

Parejo is acting like he's confident he did enough, but they're showing highlights of all the action that reveal lots of equal give & take.

This was a nice blend of styles.

 

Official cards:

S. African judge 115-113 Zhakayinov
U.S. judge 116-112 Parejo
Italian judge 116-113

SD for Zhakayinov!

 

Youri Kalenga vs. Roberto Bolonti, 10 rounds @ cruiserweight

 

I wonder if RFB is going to bottle it when the going inevitably gets rough again. :!:

I used to consider him a tough nut, but after the Pascal fiasco...

 

Round 1

Kalenga is plowing in with slow but heavy jabs flung outward like playing cards from his shoulder. Big hooks downstairs & up from Kalenga. Bolonti is backing up as far as he can, then diving in to avoid the ropes, grabbing Kalenga around the waist. Double jab by Kalenga on the guard of Bolonti. Step back and overhand right counter by the Argentinian. BIG hooks on the body from Kalenga. Bolonti is sent back staggering from them, arms lowering, before stepping in with a counter flurry putting Kalenga on the ropes.

10-9 Kalenga

 

Round 2

WILD uppercuts by Kalenga. Rough tactics from Bolonti, grabbing and tossing Kalenga. Bolonti is ducking below the waist and holding, then hitting behind the head as they break. Kalenga is putting in consistent body work and forcing Bolonti into retreat with a 1-2-3, sweeping the hook, loading up but telegraphing and missing it wide as Bolonti leans away.

10-9 Kalenga, but closer, Bolonti with his spoiling didn't let him do a lot of clean work.

20-18 Kalenga

 

Round 3

Bolonti DOWN on the first combo thrown by Kalenga, sent ass over teakettle into the ropes and sitting on the canvas as Kalenga rushes him and opens up with straights and chops. Kalenga moves in as soon as Bolonti answers the ref's count, hooking off the jab and sledging the body. Lots of forward leaning from Bolonti, getting under Kalenga's punches and wedging himself in a headlock. More headhunting by Kalenga, working in combination off the slow but steady & strong jab. Bolonti down again off a left hook while trading - sent flying in the air, coming down on the seat of his pants. ~20 seconds left. Kalenga flurries but can't finish Bolonti off as he dips in and waves his arms to chaff-grenade Kalenga's line of sight.

10-7 Kalenga

30-25 Kalenga

 

Nobody ever claimed us Americans were very good at maths! atriot

 

Matter of time now. Kalenga has some hard assessment to do if he doesn't get rid of Bolonti very soon.