Kamshybek Kunkabayev returned to the pros with a win, though failing to produce a knockout victory for the first time.
The 2020 Olympic Bronze medalist earned a technical decision over Steven Ward. The ESPN+ main event was stopped in the seventh round, when a cut along Ward's forehead was deemed too severe to allow the bout to continue.
It was a one-sided affair to that point, with the fight stopped at 1:05 of round seven. It was unclear whether the cut was caused by a Kunkabayev left hand or an elbow, leaving the referee to rule it as an accidental foul. Kunkabayev won by announced scores of 70-62 on all three scorecards.
Kunkabayev, 30, a tall southpaw with power in both hands, was very measured early on, throwing steady and hard body jabs to Ward. Proving his nickname "The Quiet Man" was very fitting, Ward was very cautious early on. He jumped back, throwing almost nothing. He wasn't hit well too, though the Kazakh's dominance was quite prominent.
In the third, Kunkabayev started to deliver, and Ward felt the difference. But the favorite's aggression also showed his weaknesses - specifically, a soft spot for a right cross. Ward used one to trouble Kunkabayev at a mid-point of the round. It hasn't stopped Kunkabayev but reminded him of dangers. In the fourth, the Kazakh was aggressive but also kept his defense solid.
In the fifth, Ward was finally dropped on his way in by a right cross by Kunkabayev. He was up and not wobbly but still it was a big round for the Kazakh. The sixth also went to the local fighter before the fight was stopped due to a cut in round seven.
Kunkabayev improves his record to 4-0 (3KOs), having to go to the scorecards for the first time as a pro. Ward falls to 13-2 (4KOs) with the defeat.
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