By Francisco Salazar
Junior lightweight prospect Shohjahon Ergashev did not want to get rounds in during a stay-busy fight.
The hard-hitting Ergashev dropped Nazareno Gaston Ruiz twice early in the opening round, earning another knockout victory Friday night at the Olimp in Krasnador, Russia.
Ergashev hurt Gaston immediately after the opening bell sounded to start the fight, dropping him moments later with a left hand to the head. Gaston stood up, but Ergashev trapped him in a corner, unleashing a barrage that dropped him to the canvas.
Referee Yuri Koptsev immediately stopped the fight in 18 seconds.
The southpaw Ergashev, who was an amateur standout in Uzbekistan and now resides in Detroit, Michigan, improves to 15-0, 14 knockouts. The 27-year-old is promoted by Dmitriy Salita.
Ergashev’s most impressive win took place on Jan. 12, when he stopped Sonny Fredrickson in the third round of a fight that aired on a ‘ShoBox’ telecast.
Gaston, who resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, drops to 32-18, 11 KOs.
In the main event, fringe lightweight contender Aik Shakhnazaryan won a 12-round split decision over Fedor Papazov.
One judge scored the bout 115-113 for Papazov, while the other two judges scored the bout 115-113 and 116-112 for Shakhnazaryan, who improves to 23-2, 11 KOs.
Papazov falls to 21-3, 12 KOs.
Light heavyweight Sergei Ekimov (18-0, 9 KOs) dropped Stanislov Kashtanov en route to an eight-round split decision victory.
Ekimov dropped Kashtanov early in round three and won 78-73 and 78-74 two of the judges’ scorecards. Kashtanov (36-4, 21 KOs) won 77-75 on third judge’s scorecard.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
