If ever a fighter were able to enjoy a homefield advantage despite fighting hailing from the other side of the globe, it would be Krzyzstof Glowacki (30-1) of Poland competing in Chicago.
The heavy Polish contingent generated a pulsating energy from the introductions all the way to the final bell. Russia’s Maksim Vlasov(42-2) however, was not fazed by the environment as he met Glowacki in the center of the ring for a high octane opening to the bout. Both fighters engaged in a game of high speed chess, with Vlasov looking to work his right hand through the southpaw guard of Glowacki.
The third round saw a bit of controversy when Vlasov hit the canvas following a physical exchange. The knockdown was counted, prompting immediate protest from Vlasov who believed he was pushed. The pro Glowacki crowd obviously reveled in the ruling, and chants for the Polish star carried into the following round.
The back and forth action began to take its toll entering the second half of the contest webbanki.ru. Both fighters showed signs of fatigue to close out the sixth round. Glowacki then found another opportunity to build some momentum in the seventh when he landed a crisp left hand power shot that stopped Vlasov in his tracks.
Vlasov carried a low hanging left hand into the 8th round, inviting Glowacki to take a few shots at the loose guard, but the Russian veteran was able to slip the attack and find some offensive success with Glowacki now in the pocket. The high-volume strategy of Vlasov contrasted that of Glowacki, who stayed on the outside like a sniper in the ninth round and fired crisp power shots one at a time.
Both fighters put fatigue on the back burner for the championship rounds, trading sharp combinations to the pleasure of the heavily engaged crowd. Vlasov found a home for a series of one-two combinations in the twelfth, while Glowacki launched heavy right hooks. A mutual respect was evident as the fighters embraced following the final bell.
Scorecards read 118-110, 117-110 115-112 in favor of the crowd favorite Krzysztof Glowacki. Glowacki will now meet Maris Briedis in the Super Series semi-finals.
Briedis outlasts Mikaelian
The first in a pair of World Boxing Super Series quarterfinal match-ups saw Mairis Briedis(23-1) and Noel Mikaelian (23-1) working to find their range for a majority of the contest.
The Latvian, Briedis looked just a bit more comfortable with the fight’s spacing and pace, peppering Mikaelian with jabs and short rights. Mikaelian could never quite establish a rhythm, failing to land with a wide overhand right at several points in the early rounds, until the third when a clubbing shot drew some fan reaction. The crowd-pleasing shot didn’t do much to slow down Briedis, who pressed forward with a clean attack to close out the round.
Mikaelian’s missed right hooks turned into rabbit punches one too many times, resulting in a docked point in the fourth round. Despite the deduction, the German cruiserweight found some success in the middle rounds with a busy work-rate and decent inside positioning.
Briedis found himself on the business end of a point deduction himself in the 10th, when he was penalized for excessive holding. In the midst of the late round clinches Briedis continued to work on establishing an offense, wrapping a right hook around Mikaelian’s turned back in the twelfth round.
Scorecards leaned heavily in favor of the new WBC diamond champion and now Super Series semi-finalist Mairis Breidis with tallies of 116-110, 115-111, 114-112 UD. A result that drew a mixed reaction from the UIC Pavilion crowd.
Boyd UD4 Delgado
Deshawn Boyd of Fort Wayne, IN out-boxed Chicago product Marcos Delgado in a four round lightweight bout. Boyd picked up a victory with scores of 40-35 on all three cards.
Mendez KO4 Harris
Super lightweights Genaro Mendez (12-4-1 6 ko’s) and Tyrone Harris(26-12 16 ko’s) warmed up the Chicago crowd with a competitive affair. Mendez utilized the jab effectively, catching Harris lunging at several points early on. The fighters continued to trade combinations, with Mendez generating the better momentum throughout the bout. The exclamation point came with Mendez landing a picture perfect counter left hook that dropped Harris, prompting a stoppage from referee Mark Nelson.
Saldana KO1 Miller
Local cruiserweight Owen Saldana(debut) brought an abundance of fanfare to the UIC pavilion. Saldana’s cheering section provided a thunderous energy as the fighters were introduced. Saldana did not disappoint his following, making short work of Joe Miller(1-2) of Florida. Saldana worked the jab effectively before connecting on a big straight right hand that sent Miller into the ropes. Saldana showed veteran level killer instinct with a brutal flurry of power shots that prompted a first round stoppage, to the pleasure of his already strong fan base.
Mann UD10 Zubov
Cruiserweights Artur Mann (14-0)and Alexey Zubov(16-1) wasted no time heating things up in their bout.
Sporting Chicago Bull inspired trunks, Mann put Zubov into survival mode early on in the first round, finding a home for a left hook followed up with a rear uppercut that wobbled Zubov. With Zubov vulnerable, Mann opened up the arsenal, scoring a knockdown off of a straight right hand. Mann landed another clean right at the first round’s closing bell that sent Zubov to the canvas once again.
Zubov weathered the storm and was able to string together effective punches in the second round, even wobbling Mann with a right hand of his own.
The tide turned to an extent in the middle rounds, with Zubov keep thing competitive, before eventually eating another straight right hand that resulted in a knockdown in the seventh round. A gritty effort in the closing rounds from Zubov was not enough to close the scorecard gap, as Mann picked up the unanimous decision win.