Victor Plotnikov, Prospects Win in Lviv, Ukraine

By Alexey Sukachev

Yesterday former WBA super lightweight champion Andrey Kotelnik joined his efforts with local promoter Sergey Yanchishin and American company Fight Promotions Inc. (Alex Khanas) to stage an event at the Lviv Circus in Lviv, Ukraine. There were no prime stars in the mix but one fringe veteran-contender and several amateur talents took their parts in.

In the main event of the night, 37-year old local welterweight Victor Plotnikov (33-3, 15 KOs) scored a workmanlike eight-round decision over Georgian import Nikoloz Gviniashvili (10-3-3, 6 KOs). Plotnikov looked much sharper than his ordinary opponent to get scores 80-73 and 79-73 (twice) in his favour.

Former Ukrainian national Denis Lazarev (2-0) scored his second career win over always determined and entertaining all-action light middleweight journeyman Bogdan Protsyshyn (7-12, 2 KOs). Protsyshyn, who suffered his eighth straight loss, pressed the action all the night despite a bleeding nose but Lazarev avoided his offensive surges brilliantly and countered well with his jab. Scores were: 60-55 and 60-54 (twice) for Lazarev.

Three more fighters made their debut in the ring. 17-year old Junior Olympics Ramil Gadzhiev (1-0, 1 KO) dropped Piotr Sharun (0-2) twice in the first and four times in the second round to get a stoppage win. It took former Kazakh amateur standout Aidos Erbossynuly (1-0, 1 KOs) less than a minute to finish off Belarussian Andrey Dolgozhuev (8-13-1, 6 KO). Finally, Moldovan light heavyweight Piotr Cebanu (1-0) debuted with a unanimous decision over fellow debutant Vladimir Romanenko (0-1). Scores were 40-36, 40-36 and 40-35.