By Alexey Sukachev and Dmitry Mikhalchuk

Highly ranked Ukraine-based Belarussian Alexander Ustinov (27-0, 21 KOs), 35, notched another stoppage victory at Kharkiv Palace of Sports in Ukraine. Ustinov overpowered capable American opponent Jason Gavern (21-10-4, 10 KOs) in a rough fight and stopped him in the seventh due to accumulation of punches. K2 promoted the entire event.

The fight between the renowned upset artist and WBA #3, WBO #5 and IBF #12 ranked contender was rather dirty and not particularly entertaining. Gavern was successful in the beginning but faded down the stretch as he failed to overcome Ustinov’s considerable size advantage. There were many clinches and both fighters missed often but the suffering party was Gavern. He was forced to take a knee twice in the seventh, and after the third time, with the reason being a barely notable punch to the liver, the American was counted out. Ustinov is now the IBO I/C heavyweight titleholder and slowly moves up in ranks.

In an upset, cruiserweight Pavel Zhuravliov (9-1, 5 KOs) avenged his kayo loss to Vitaly Nevesioliy (12-1, 7 KOs) under kick boxing rules and dealt him his first professional loss as a prizefighter. Zhuravliov wasn’t particularly dangerous with his punches but he threw more and landed more, while Nevesioliy was overly confident he would win the fight by another knockout. Scores were: 77-76, 79-74 and 80-73 – for Pavel.

WBO #11 ranked welterweight Valery Brazhnik (28-0-1, 17 KOs) continued his domination over third-level opposition and knocked out Uzbek trialhorse Hurshid Madaminov (6-9, 2 KOs) in three. Madaminov was down two times in the second after powerful body punches and was stopped on his feet after a couple of hard attacks by the Ukrainian in the third.

Other results:

Valentin Golovko (16-0, 11 KOs) TKO 3 Dmytro Bogachuk (6-11-1, 3 KOs)
Dmytro Semernin (9-0, 3 KOs) UD 8 Adham Nazarov (4-6, 2 KOs)
Vadim Novopashin (1-0) UD 4 Roman Mirzoyev (1-6, 1 KO)
Dmytro Fedos (1-0) UD 4 Oleg Tolochko (1-9, 1 KO)

Tags: Alexander Ustinov