By Francisco Salazar
Fringe heavyweight contender Tom Schwarz stopped overmatched Radek Varak in the opening round Saturday evening at the Hospudka Eden in the Czech Republic city of Usti nad Labem.
With the victory, Schwarz improves to 25-1, 17 knockouts.
Schwarz, who resides in Magdeburg, Germany, was coming off a second-round knockout loss to lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on June 15 in Las Vegas. According to the Boxrec website, Schwarz is still medically suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission, which runs until Dec. 13.
The taller Schwarz connected several times, particularly with lead and counter right hands, to the head of Varak. Midway through the round, a barrage of punches dropped Varak flat onto his back. Varak beat the count, but referee Ondrej Holubek immediately stopped the bout at 1:38.
The 42-year-old Varak, who resides in Usti nad Labem, drops to 6-8, 3 KOs. Varak had won three of his previous four bouts prior to the Schwarz fight.
Light heavyweight Adam Deines battered Josef Lehr (1-1) of the Czech Republic before the fight was stopped in the fifth round.
The 28-year-old Deines, who is originally from Russia and now resides in Magdeburg, battered Lehr in round five until Lehr’s corner threw in the towel, prompting referee Ondrej Holubek at 1:30.
Deines (18-1-1, 9 KOs) lost a world title eliminator to light heavyweight contender Fanlong Meng in his previous bout in Macao, China on June 1.
The fight card was promoted by former world junior middleweight title challenger Lucas Konecny, who resides in Usti nad Labem.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing
