MASHANTUCKET, CT - In the co-featured attraction of Premier Boxing Champions on ESPN and ESPN Deportes Thursday night from Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT, hard-hitting Ievgen Khytrov (13-0, 11 KOs) lay a non-stop attack on Paul Mendez (19-3-2, 9 KOs) before eventually earning a stoppage in the ninth-round of their middleweight matchup.
Khytrov and Mendez went toe-to-toe from the first-round, exchanging flurries and showing a willingness to stand in front of their opponent. It was Khytrov who showed the more varied attack while getting out to a fast start and landing 50 percent of his power punches over the first three rounds.
Mendez stood tough and continued throwing punches, but was unable to land anything that bothered Khytrov. The Ukranian-born fighter who trains in Brooklyn attacked the body early while dazing Mendez with uppercuts and power hooks. Rounds seven and eight saw Khytrov increase his attack as he seemingly landed power punches at will.
The fight continued in that one-sided manner throughout the opening minute of round nine. Sensing an opportunity, Khytrov cornered Mendez and hit him with a series of unanswered hooks that forced referee Joe Lupino to stop the fight, at the recommendation of the ringside physician, 1:20 into the round. Khytrov ended the fight with a 482-125 advantage in punches landed while landing 50 percent of his total shots.
"I love to fight and battle and go toe-to-toe. I executed the game plan. My defense was much better and I've worked hard on my defense. This was my best fight because that guy stood and fought, he didn't run," Khytrov said.
"I wasn't surprised that Mendez took so many punches because I didn't throw every punch hard, I mixed it up, but did throw some hard punches.
"I want a couple more fights then I want to fight for the world title. That's what I've worked so hard to do. I'm not going to dodge anybody. I want to fight Gennady Golovkin and take his belts."