Chuprakov Dominates Akhundov Over 12 In Russia

By Alexey Sukachev

German Titov as a promoter with his son Alexey as a matchmaker unified their efforts to produce a tiny show Saturday afternoon at the Rings Arena in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The show was offered for local fight fans and for those devoted to the sport in other parts of Russia, where this tourney was available online through BoxingTV channel. The event consisted of several boxing and MMA contests.

In the main event, WBO #9 super featherweight Evgueny "Happy Gilmore" Chuprakov (15-0, 8 KOs) retained his WBO European 130lb title for the first time with a solid decision over Ukrainian import Timur Akhundov (15-3-1, 5 KOs). Scores were 119-109, 118-109 and 116-111 - for the Russian boxer.

Chuprakov, 25, was making the first defense of a minor title he had previously won against former super flyweight beltholder Dmitry Kirillov in September. Oppositely, Akhundov, a former Wordl Boxing Federation featherweight champion, was fighting for the first time in three years. Despite an obvious lack of practice and ring rust, Akhundov fought furiously against the Russian. He used his height advantage to trouble Chuprakov at times but the titleholder was too slick and too fresh for the pretender. Chuprakov moved well, sticking his jab into Akhundov's face and adding quick left-right combinations to keep the Ukrainian at bay. The Russian doesn't pack a quality punch but he is methodical and precise in his actions. Akhundov felt it very well. Worse (for him) was the fact his right eye started to close rapidly after the mid-point. Seeing little, fighting on instinct and with his left eye being cut in the last stanza, Akhundov showed big heart in lasting till the final bell, although with virtually zero chances for a win.

Undercard action reached its climax in a bout for a vacant Russian featherweight title between local favorite Mark Urvanov, nicknamed Canelo, and rugged journeyman Alexey Shorokhov.

Urvanov, 19, had to work very hard against aggressive but raw Shorokhov, 33, but he did just that, utilizing his superior skills and freshness to be slightly better than his opponent in a vast majority of rounds. Shorokhov was pressing action but ate too many blows to realize his title opportunity.

Urvanov (6-1, 3 KOs), who lost his first fight less than a year ago before winning the next six, was several punches away from a stoppage win in the last round. He got the biggest victory of his career anyway, cruising to a clean sweep with 100-90 scores on all three judges' scorecards. BoxingScene saw it 98-93 - also for Urvanov. Shorokhov is down to 7-8, 4 KOs.