ESPN2 FNF: Tony Harrison vs. Antwone Smith & Ievgen Khytrov vs. Jorge Melendez RBR

Ievgen Khytrov vs. Jorge Melendez, 10 rounds @ middleweight

 

Anybody that looked at just how padded Council's record is.

 

Khytrov aka the Ukrainian Lemieux.

 

Round 1

Khytrov is throwing jabs into Melendez's guard and working combinations to body and head off the jab. Right uppercuts and left hooks on the shoulder and floating rib. Khytrov penetrating wherever Melendez has a hole in his defenses. Melendez rocked by a right hand. Melendez sticks a left jab while backing into a corner. Melendez puts out his forearm to shove Khytrov off, and ducks low. Body shot by Khytrov. Double jab into the arms, hard scooping right on the belt line by Khytrov.

10-9 Khytrov

 

Round 2

Khytrov is walking forward, knocking on the front door with his jab and then crossing Melendez's threshold with body shots. Khytrov is picking off some of Melendez's jabs on his right glove and using a bit of twitchy head movement. Melendez is dancing around dropping jabs and rights into the sides and top of Khytrov's head. Good exchanges as Khytrov moves in with the high right hand, landing but countered on the way in.

10-9 Khytrov, but closer

20-18 Khytrov

 

Round 3

Khytrov is doubling his jab up top and catching Melendez's jab on his right mitt. Melendez jabs, circles away, moves in from the side and shoves Khytrov off-kilter with a forearm. Melendez leans in and slaps the body. Wide right uppercut at mid-range by Melendez as Khytrov is reaching with a double jab and right hand rolling over the top. Body shots by Khytrov.

10-9 Khytrov

30-27 Khytrov

 

Atlas has it 30-27 Khytrov.