Novikov and Ponomarev Score Stoppages in Chelyabinsk

By Alexey Sukachev

Two promising Russian welterweights – WBC #10 Anton Novikov (23-0, 9 KOs) and Konstantin Ponomarev (13-0, 6 KOs) secured stoppage victories at the Traktor Palace of Sports in Chelyabinsk as part of a “For Russia” local event. Both fighters retained or captured other versions of minor WBC titles.

First, 19-year old Ponomarev displayed skill and maturity by not getting into a slugfest with 21-year old Argentinean Luis Alejandro Moreno (10-2-4, 6 KOs) and easily outboxed him for five rounds before, the South American failed to come out from his corner to start round six. Ponomarev retained his WBC Youth I/C title in process.

The same result, but three rounds later, was in play for Anton Novikov. Novikov, 24, steadily outboxed Serbian challenger Bogdan Mitic (17-3-1, 10 KOs) in workmanlike fashion before the latter chose to remain on his stool after the eighth round. Scores were 80-72, 80-73 and 79-73 – for Novikov at the time of stoppage. Anton captured the vacant WBC CISBB regional title.