Bektemirov, Greenwood, and Muralimov Win Big in Texas
By Peter Lim
Houston Club, Houston, Texas - When Medzhid Bektemirov relocated from Dagestan, Russia, to Houston, Texas, three years ago, he somehow managed to sneak two weapons of mass destruction - his left and right fists - past US Customs and Immigration. The 24-year-old Russian is no terrorist, of course, but he has nevertheless utilized those weapons to inflict significant pain against Americans.
Bektemirov's latest victim was Tyrone Jackson of Atlanta, whom he bludgeoned into submission at 1:23 of the first round at the latest Savarese Boxing Promotions fight night at the Houston Club. His crippling power was evident in the opening seconds of the bout when a left hook caused Jackson to do Mr. Bo Jangles dance even though the punch was partially blocked.
Moments later Bektemirov, 9-0 (8 KOs), literally lifted Jackson, 8-40-3 (5 KOs), off his feet with a left hook to the belly dumping him to the canvass. Jackson beat the count and fought back gallantly but simply could not match the Russian's intensity and firepower. Bektemirov quickly trapped Jackson against the ropes and unleashed a two-fisted combination punctuated by a crushing left to the ribcage that floored Jackson in agony for the full count.
Bektemirov, a light heavyweight, was not the only fighter to remain undefeated.
Former NFL linebacker Morlon Greenwood raised his record to 3-0 (3 KOs) after scoring two knockdowns en route to a first round stoppage over Alonzo Roney, 3-13 (3 KOs), in a heavyweight bout. Greenwood, 33, played for the Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders over a 10-year career.
Ahror Muralimov, a short, stocky, heavyweight from Uzbekistan, upped his ledger to 11-0 (10 KOs), as he stopped Ronny Hale, 2-4 (2 KOs), in the second round. Muralimov, 24, dropped Hale twice with barrages of left hooks and overhand rights.
Junior welterweight Joel Baglio, 9-0 (6 KOs), was taken the four-round distance against tough showboat Aaron Anderson, 2-13 (1 KO). Baglio, a southpaw, was the technically superior fighter and rocked Anderson on several occasions but Anderson proved durable enough to recover, clown around and occasionally return fire.
Featherweight Ivan Otero, 8-1 (2 KOs), dropped Julio Valardez (record unknown) twice for a first-round stoppage. Heavyweight Skipp Scott, 15-1 (10 KOs), stopped Glen Williams, 7-7-1 (5 KOs) in the first round after Williams' corner tossed in the towel.
In conjunction with the event, Savarese held an auction to benefit Semper Fi, an organization that helps injured marines.