Vyacheslav Mirzaev Decisions Issa Nampepeche To Win

By Alexey Sukachev

Pyatigorsk, Russia - Russian featherweight Vyacheslav Mirzaev (5-0) made a big step up in his career by fighting and defeating much more experienced Issa Nampepeche (22-5-4, 13 KOs) to get a vacant UBO 126lb title. The fight was a headliner of the event, promoted at the Concert Hall of Pyatigorsk, Russia, by the SKV Boxing.

Mirzaev, who debuted in the ring less than a year ago, was better in every round but just slightly - by being sharper and showing greater defensive skills. Nampepeche showed skills and durability but it hasn't prevented him from getting yet another loss. Scores were: 120-108 (twice) and 120-109 - for Mirzev, but BoxingScene had it 118-111 - a bit closer.

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Local lightweight favorite Marina Popova, born in Yerevan, Armenia, had a bit far more than she could chew in hard-nosed, grizzled Kenyan Sarah Achieng. Standing tall, fighting like an amateur rookie and showing little defensive ability, lankier Popova couldn't stop stockier Achieng in her tracks and prevent her from getting inside to deal more damage.

The Russian fighter was almost stopped in the closing rounds but somehow managed to go the distance. Judges were fair this time and rightfully awarded Achieng with a win: 79-74, 79-74 and 80-73. Popova is now 2-1, while Achieng, fighting for the first time out of native Kenya, improves to 11-2, 6 KOs.