By Alexey Sukachev
Latvia - Tuning up for his upcoming fight versus fellow Russian Rakhim Chakhkiev, WBO #12 Maxim Vlasov (36-2, 19 KOs) easily dismissed unheralded Brazilian Carlos Ailton Nascimento (15-4, 11 KOs) in three rounds for the IBO Inter-Continental title.
Vlasov, a bit shorter at 6'4'', was aggressive and determined. He immediately started to go after the Brazilian, using his torso well and throwing verious punches. Nascimento, 27, was slightly hurt in both of the opening rounds. In the third, he continued to stalk his opponent, eventually finding his weaknesses. He rocked Nascimento with a combination of punches and continued punching him until the latter was unable to defend himself, being stopped on his feet at 2:12 of the round.
Vlasov vs. Chakhkiev will be part of a huge night of boxing on December 3 in Moscow, Russia, crowned with yet another domestic encounter between WBA/IBF cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev and his mandatory challenger Murat Gassiev.
Sergey "Hooligan" Shigashev (5-0, 2 KOs) got his win over former kickboxing standout Mirkko Moisar (5-4, 3 KOs) of Estonia with a late rally and solid performance in the beginning. Scores were: 60-54, 59-55, and 59-56 - for the Russian.
-----------------
Former Russian welterweight champion Petros Ananyan (9-0-2, 5 KOs), just a year and a half into his pro career, made his international debut with a solid win over Georgian Greek Nikoloz Tasidis Gviniashvili (16-6-4, 12 KOs), topping him over eight. Ananyan was slow in the opening rounds, taking his time to find his way in the fight. Then he started to do damage and was close to a stoppage win in the closing two rounds. The Russian Armenian was tricky, skillful and unpredictable against a relatively ordinary opponent. Scores were: 80-70, 79-73 and 80-75 - for Petros Ananyan.
-----------------
Swiss kickboxing and karate star Yoann Kongolo (5-0, 2 KOs) continued his education of a pugilist with a workmanlike unanimous decision over Georgian import Zura Mekerishvili (18-7, 14 KOs) in a non-title six-rounder. Kongolo was slighly better than his raw but powerful and physically strong opponent in each round. He also showed his flaws and imperfect boxing skills, eating some leather and not landing that often. Nevertheless, the win was convincing: 60-54, 59-54, and 59-56 - all three for the Swiss fighter.
