Oleksandr Usyk Drills Danie Venter Inside Of Nine

By Jake Donovan

Oleksandr Usyk remains a knockout every time out in the pro ranks thus far. The Ukrainian southpaw scored his sixth stoppage in as many fights after stopping Danie Venter in the 9th round of their cruiserweight bout Saturday evening in Kiev, Ukraine. 

The 2012 Olympic Gold medalist - who also served his home land in the 2008 Beijing Olympics - was forced to go the deepest he's ever been thus far as a pro, but had no problem turning away the more experienced Venter (19-7, 14KOs). 

A series of left hands eventually forced the visiting South African to wilt, catching a beating along the ropes before crumbling to the canvas. The sequence was enough to prompt the referee to jump in and stop the contest without issuing a count.

Usyk cruises to 6-0 (6KOs), having already fought in scheduled 10- and 12-round affairs through just 13 months in the pro ranks. His handlers - K2 Promotions Ukraine - are already eyeing a title shot sometime in 2015. Usyk holds a regional title with the WBO, ranked in its top 10 which could eventually put him on course for a shot at long-reigning titlist Marco Huck. 

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox