Shabranskyy Survives Knockdowns, Stops Parker In Three
Jun 30, 2015 • 9:23 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
PHILADELPHIA
--Vyacheslav Shabranskyy is still unbeaten, but it required his having to climb off the canvas and survive the worst round of his career. The rising light heavyweight was dropped twice in the opening round by Paul Parker before clearing his head and rallying to score a 3rd round stoppage Tuesday evening at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
High praise was heaped upon Shabranskyy by the legendary Bernard Hopkins, having sparred with the light heavyweight and who—through Golden Boy Promotions—serves as his promoter. The future Hall of Famer sold the Ukrainian knockout artist as a future light heavyweight champion.
There is plenty of time for that vision to play out, but such lofty claims were seriously challenged in the opening round. Parker—an unbeaten but largely untested light heavyweight from Ohio—took the fight right to Shabranskyy, scoring two knockdown to jump out to a huge lead after just three minutes of action.
This being boxing, no lead is too big when your opponent boasts an equalizer. It was a harsh lesson taught to Parker, who appeared to have punched himself out while Shabranskyy was able to shake off the near-disastrous opening round.
From there, it was a matter of time before the 28-year old prospect—now based out of Los Angeles—took over.
Showing poise under fire, Shabranskyy wisely pressed the action against a fatigued Parker, pouncing on his foe in round three. Parker made the costly mistake of turning his back—in addition to not fighting back—prompting the referee to stop the contest.
The official time was 2:36 of round three.
Shabranskyy moves to 14-0 (12KOs) with the win, his third of 2015 and second straight over a previously unbeaten foe. Parker falls to 7-1 (4KOs). a
UNDERCARD
It was a good night for trainer Lamont Roach Sr., who saw two of his fighters post wins on the televised undercard bouts.
Roach's son, lightweight prospect Lamont Roach Jr. remained unbeaten after cruising to a six-round decision over Christian Santibanez. Scores were 60-54 (twice) and 59-55 in favor of the 19-year old Roach Jr. (8-0, 3KOs), who picks up his third win of 2015.
Training stable mate D'Mitrius Ballard had a tougher go of things in preserving his unbeaten mark, taking a six-round nod over Mexico's Josue Ovando. The 22-year old super middleweight prevailed by scores of 58-56 (twice) and an unacceptable cruise-control tally of 60-54.
With plenty of time to kill towards the end of the telecast, local lightweight prospect Damon Allen gained unexpected airtime. The 20-year old made the most of the moment, forcing Puerto Rico's Luis Rodriguez to quit after four rounds of action.
The bout was Allen's first since last March, but didn't miss a beat as he boxed and banged as he pleased for the duration of the bout. Four rounds of punishment was enough to convince Rodriguez's corner to pull the plug on the mismatch.
Allen improves to 7-0 (3KOs); Rodriguez suffers his fifth straight loss, falling to 3-5 (1KO).
All bouts aired live on Fox Sports 2 and Fox Deportes.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
