Video: Dejan Zlaticanin Talks KO Win Over Redkach
Jun 14, 2015 • 11:07 AM ET
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Michael Gibbons catches up with undefeated Montenegrin Dejan “El Dinamita” Zlaticanin (17-0, 10 KOs), who delivered an upset with the second knockout of the evening, tarnishing the unblemished record of Ukrainian Ivan “El Terrible” Redkach (18-1, 14 KOs) with a TKO at 1:24 of the fourth round with a devastating left hook.
Redkach had a six inch reach advantage over Zlaticanin, but the Montenegrin was the stronger more accurate man landing 33 percent of his total punches compared to Redkach’s 21 percent. Redkach took a knee in the third after a low blow and an accidental headbutt that led to a small cut. At the time of the stoppage, Zlaticanin was ahead on all the scorecards, 27-30 and 28-29 twice.
A virtual unknown to U.S. fans coming in, Zlaticanin couldn’t contain his excitement afterward. “I feel like I am living a dream, I am very happy,” he said. “I beat somebody who is a boxing standout in America. I knew going into the fight that I was the better fighter. I really wanted to hurt him in that ring. I heard that he was a great boxer and power puncher, but he underestimated my talents. I showed the American fan base what I am capable of.”
After the fight, Redkach was visibly distraught. “I am very disappointed,” he said. “This is my first professional loss. I don’t understand why the referee stopped the fight when there was still over a minute left in the round. I felt perfectly fine in the ring that was a bad stoppage.”
