By Alexey Sukachev
Underrated but capable Spain-based Russian Petr Petrov (28-2-2, 13 KOs) has continued his rise in pro ranks after a cracking destruction of durable Argentinean Angel Hugo Ramirez (23-6-3, 10 KOs) on May 27 in his adopted Motherland. WBC #16 Petrov, 28, knocked Ramirez out in the fourth. The South American was stopped for the first time in his career, a feat, which couldn’t be reached by much more heralded Australian Michael Katsidis.
On the same card, Romanian journeyman-turned-contender Silvio Olteanu (11-6, 5 KOs) was easily (and unexpectedly) outpointed by little-known local bantam Xavier Urpi (9-1-1, 3 KOs). Scores were: 80-75, 79-74 and 75-72, and the Romanian was down in the third. That was the third Olteanu’s loss in a row; the previous two coming narrowly against WBA champion Daiki Kameda (on a dubious split loss) and WBC Silver titlist Wilber Uicab (on a controversial majority decision). Olteanu, who isn’t ranked, is set to face WBA champion Hernan Marquez on July 2 in Mexico.
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22-year old Russian Maks Limonov (16-0, 8 KOs) acquired a vacant Russian middleweight title after a very hard-fought win over spirited Armenian Karen Avetisyan (3-3-1, 1 KO). Limonov, who has fought several times in America, got through some scary moments and was lucky to survive in the tenth, following a knockdown, scored by his opponent. Scores were: 98-93 and 97-93 (twice) – for Limonov.
On the same card, promoted by Kirill Pchelnikov and German Titov on Friday night in Kemerovo, WBC #10 light heavyweight Roman Simakov (17-1-1, 8 KOs) easily outpointed his bitter rival Gennady Maximov (3-3, 2 KOs) over eight in a lackluster attempt by the latter to avenge his December loss. Scores were 80-72 (twice) and 80-73. WBO #15 featherweight Vyacheslav Gusev (19-2, 5 KOs) got a workmanlike decision over durable local Kyrgyz Shavkat Madaminov (9-5, 3 KOs) also over eight. Scores were 79-75, 78-74 and 80-73. Finally, it took super featherweight talent Theodoros (Fedor) Papazov (7-0, 5 KOs) just 119 seconds to wipe out journeyman Bairam Mukhamedov (3-6, 1 KO).
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Tajik welterweight Sherali “The Lion” Mamadaliev (14-1, 8 KOs) came back to the ring for the third time in three months and outfought determined Latvian opponent Jevgenijs Fedorovs (7-22-2, 2 KOs) in eight entertaining rounds. Fedorovs was down twice in the fourth but somehow managed to go the distance and even give 30-year old ex-PABA and ex-WBO European titleholder a couple of hard moments. Scores at the end were 80-70, 80-71 and 79-75 – all for The Lion.
The show was arranged by local promoter and former European champion Alexander Yagupov on Friday night at Typhoon Club in St. Petersburg, Russia. Also on the card, Uzbek lightweight Sherzod Nazarov (13-5, 10 KOs) returned into action less than a week since his decision loss to former world champion Nate Campbell and got a workmanlike, methodical points victory over no-hoper Andrey Korzhenevskiy (0-11-1). Scores were rather close, however: 58-57, 58-56 and 60-54.
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Top Uzbek promoter Shuhrat Haydarov of Favzul Munavvar promotional group let his guys fight on the same night, May 27, at Metallurg Stadium in Almalyk, Uzbekistan. In the best and the most important fight of the night, lightweight Bahrom Payozov (16-1, 10 KOs) acquired a vacant national title after a hard-fought unanimous decision over feather-fisted but spirited Jahongir Mamajanov (7-4, 1 KO). Scores were 97-93 (twice) and 97-94 – for the occasional winner.
Other Notable Results:
Abdulaziz Matazimov (13-6, 7 KOs) TKO 2 Mamasoli Kimsanbayev (11-8, 4 KOs)
Sherali Mamajanov (8-0, 3 KOs) UD 6 Beka Sutidze (5-2-1, 1 KO). Scores were 60-55 (twice) and 60-54.
Boris Mdinaradze (16-1, 12 KOs) UD 6 Aziz Juraev (3-4-3, 1 KO). Scores were 59-57, 59-58 and 60-58.
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Rising Swiss-based Ukrainian Sergey Kopylenko (14-0, 5 KOs) fought little-known Belarussian journeyman Sergey Navarko (7-31, 2 KOs) on Saturday night in Vratsa, Bulgaria, and got an easy unanimous decision over his opponent. Kopylenko was earlier scheduled to face much more dangerous Andrey Salakhutdinov. Philippe Fondu promoted in association with Georgi Ezekiev.
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Hard-hitting Georgian light welterweight Levan Gvamichava made his pro debut only in January but it hasn’t prevented him from making some noise in the United Kingdom. Gvamichava, 25, three-time participant in world amateur championships, is managed by Gary Hyde and fights on both sides of the Irish Channel. This Saturday he stopped hapless Hungarian Karoly Lakatos (10-28-1, 5 KOs) in just 42 seconds in Belfast, Ulster. This Georgian kid also has wins over much more respected gatekeepers Mihaita Mutu and Laszlo Komjathi among others.
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Mairis Briedis (5-0, 3 KOs), 26, a sensational winner of the first Bigger’s Better tournament on Cyprus, comes back tonight after merely a year of inactivity. The Latvian banger, who combines underrated technique with somewhat fascinating aggression, takes on durable Croatian tough guy Josip Jalusic (10-23-1, 7 KOs) in Riga, Latvia. Sergey Mitchnik promotes.