By Ruslan Chikov, at ringside
At the Yubileiny Sports Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, former World Boxing Organization cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli (32-4, 22 KOs) destroyed rising Russian star Alexander Kotlobay (18-2-1, 12 KOs) in the first round to win the vacant EBU (European) cruiserweight title.
A cautious start by Kotlobay but he began to land his punches. Maccarinelli took his time and then opened up with his punches. He caught Kotlobay cold, knocking him down. The Russian fighter made it to his feet before the count of ten. He looked to be in trouble as the ref asked him if he wanted to continue. Maccarinelli trapped Kotlobay against the ropes and hit him with several power punches. Kotlobay covered up but an uppercut got through and put the Russian fighter in serious trouble. The referee quickly stopped the fight.
On the Undercard
Light heavyweight Tajik Sherali Mamadaliev (11-0, 7 KOs) knocked out Herve De Luca (now 15-5-1, 7 KOs) in the first round.
Dmitry Sukotsky (15-1, 10 KOs) stopped Pablo Daniel Zamora Nievas (24-8-1, 15 KOs) in the first round of a light heavyweight contest.
Super middleweight prospect Maxim Vlasov (17-0, 10 KOs) knocked out Vasyl Kondor (18-11-1, 5 KOs) in three rounds.
Elis Idrisov (4-1, 1 KO) won a six round unanimous decision over Andrey Barabanovs (4-1, 3 KOs) in a rematch of light heavyweights.
Hurshid Abdullaev (3-0, 2 KOs) stopped Alexey Kulikov (0-1-1) in the second round of a junior middleweight fight.
