ShoBox: Lateef Kayode vs. Matt Godfrey & Chris Avalos vs. Khabir Suleymanov RBR

Round 8

Avalos is missing some combos upstairs, and then pulling out before Suleymanov can flurry low during his swoop inside. Suleymanov is caught hard with another 1-2 as Avalos plants himself. Suleymanov is jogging in and out, feinting. Big lead right by Suleymanov claps across the back of Avalos as they pull together into a clinch. Avalos just grinds him to the ropes and blasts away at him with wide lefts and rights, making Suleymanov wilt under his power and back off. Avalos satalks him across the ring and walks into a right hand as Suleymanov explodes up out of a crouch. Avalos lands a good combo and dodges another one of those high-launching rights.

10-9 Avalos

 

Suleymanov's corner begs him to win the round big (which should do him no good on the cards, really - even with a knockdown) but is also calling for a KO.

 

Round 9

Suleymanov is cleaving to Avalos, jumping in and squeezing him around the middle before trying to pepper him with soft body shots. Avalos is grabbing him around the back to try and pull him up and cease the body attack, and then shove him outside where he can line up straight head shots. Moret warns Avalos for holding, but not Suleymanov. Downward right hand to the back of the head by Suleymanov. Avalos pushes his jab, looking tired but still lands it softly. A couple of wild shots by Suleymanov land as he dances around Avalos.

10-9 Suleymanov

 

Round 10

Clinch. Avalos taps Suleymanov against the sides of the head with the palms of his gloves. They separate briefly, and clinch again. Moret screams for them to let go but they don't. Suleymanov lands glancing overhand rights to the face on his way into clinches. Avalos isn't getting his arms up from his sides in the time between the clinches, perhaps inviting them. Avalos just works his hands in short motions as they wrestle, perhaps conserving energy or unable to shore up any reserves. Suleymanov is ducking straight rights and landing his own overhands as he arcs his body inside and then retreats on a lower plane. Avalos looks to touch gloves after a break and Suleymanov just jabs his hand away. Some dancing around on the outside by Suleymanov, jabbing and landing overhand rights. Avalos extremely ineffective this round. Clinch. They walk together to the ropes, arms linked together.

10-9 Suleymanov

 

Gus Johnson just called this a "nice performance" by Avalos. :blood

Granted, Suleymanov seems like he's hard to have a "nice performance" against...but Avalos most certainly did NOT. (knockdowns notwithstanding)