ATLANTIC CITY–Sergey Kovalev may not be getting the fight with Adonis Stevenson that he was hoping for, but he was professional in scoring three knockdowns en route to a 7th round stoppage to retain the WBO Light Heavyweight title at the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside of Boardwalk Hall.
Agnew came out in a southpaw stance and tried to land quick combnations while Kovalev was looking for the right hand. the only action of consequence was a low blow landed by Agnew. At the end if round two, Kovalev landed a hard left hook that dumped Agnew on the canvas. In round three, Kovalev landed a huge four punch combimation that stunned and had Agnew holding on. Round four saw Agnew slip and counter better. Kovalev started to bleed from around his right eye that was ruled from a punch. In round six, Kovalev dropped Agnew for a 2nd time from a body punch. The action was good for the rest of the round, as there was a lot of contact that opened up a cut under Kovalev’s left eye and blood from Agnew’s mouth.
Moments into round seven, Kovalev hit Agnew with what looked like a jab to the body that sent Agnew down for referee Sammy Viruet’s ten count at 58 seconds of round 7.
Kovalev, 174.3 lbs of Russia now 24-0-1 with 22 knockouts. Agnew, 174.4 lbs of Chicago is now 26-1.
After the fight Krusher said, “It was a difficult fight tonight because I got the two cuts. One from his hand and one from his shoulder. I don’t like the floor. He has good defense. I found the key – the left to the body. This is very good for me. I was ready for 12 rounds – just to try. He is not a fighter, he is just a boxer. I tried to box with him. I found the key to the body. I found this open place in his defense and my last punch was more harder.” When asked about Adonis Stevenson Kovalev responded, “Adonis Stevenson is a piece of shit. I will fight any champion in my division. I want to get another title. I am ready for anyone. I will be great boxer.
Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva said, “Agnew was far tougher than anyone gave him credit for. Sergey is just incredible. We look forward to a nice long run with the best light heavyweight in the world.
Cedric Agnew said only, “I will be back.”
Thomas Dulorme scored a 10 round unanimous decision over Karim Mayfield in a Jr. Welterweight bout.
A right in the first round buckled Mayfield. Dulorme continued to get home with the right hand one at a time. Mayfield started to be agressive in the 3rd. At the end of the round the two exchanged in a furious fashion with Dulorme landed a left hook at the bell.
Round six saw Mayfield land a nice overhand righy onky to get hit right back with a powerful left hook. Round seven saw some good action with Mayfield striking first with a nice right over the top. Dulorme answered back with a hard left hook that momentarily stunned Mayfield. Mayfield was cut around the left eye from a accidental headbutt. Mayfield fought back in round eight with an overhand right. Dulorme landed two hard low blows that stopped the action briefly. Mayfield tried to make a last stand as he chased Dulorme in between landing a couple of nice overhand rights.
Dulorme, 139.8 lbs of Carolina, PR won by scores of 98-92, 97-94 and 96-93 and is now 21-1. Mayfield, 139.6 lbs of San Francisco, CA is now 18-1-1.
“Tonight I wanted to show the world that I’m a force in the Jr. Welterweight division,” said Dulorme. “Mayfield was an undefeated fighter who punches with a lot of power but he never hurt me. Robert Garcia and Alex Ariza are taking me to another level and I believe I’m the best Jr. Welterweight in the world.”
“My promoter Gary Shaw said he wants to see me in a big fight with a world champion in the near future. I’m ready to fight the best. Shaw and I are ready to take on all comers. I dedicate this fight to my people back home in Puerto Rico.” Dulorme concluded.
“Dulorme showed great poise tonight against a power puncher who likes to brawl,” said Gary Shaw. “He’s now in position to challenge any of the champions at 140lbs and I’ll talk with his team to see what we can put together. This is a great win for Dulorme and I’m proud of his accomplishments thus far. Garcia and Ariza are doing a great job with him and happy they’ve united. He’s on his way to big time fights.”
Light Heavyweights Lionell “Lonnie B” Thompson (15-3, 9 KOs) of Buffalo, NY and Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic (15-0, 10 KOs) of St. Petersburg, FL met for eight rounds (originally scheduled for ten rounds was cut due to unforeseen delays with the undercard) just prior to the co-feature. “Hot Rod” started strong but tired in the later rounds. Thompson turned it on as Kalajdzic began to wear down but it was not enough to secure the victory. Kalajdzic won via split decision with the judges scoring the bout 78-72 and 76-75 for Kalajdzic and 77-75 for Thompson. The referee Allen Huggins deducted a point from Thompson for spitting out his mouthpiece. Lonnie B said, “I think the score was kind of crazy. I felt like it was close. He is a good fighter. I thought I did enough in the later rounds to win. He fought a tough fight. I am going to go back in the gym, work on my mistakes and come back stronger next time. I thank God that I just came out safe. I am sorry I didn’t get the decision tonight but mark my words I will be back.”
For the first fully international card of the night junior middleweight Puerto Rican Wilky Campfort (17-1, 9 KOs) took on undefeated Khurshid Abdullaev (6-1-1, 3 KOs) of Russia for eight rounds. Campfort knocked Abdullaev down in the first and in the second Campfort threw Abdullaev out of the ring. The Russian came back with a vengeance in the third getting in several key hits. This gutty, gritty brawl was almost too close to call. Campfort won via a very close split decision with the judges scoring the bout 77-74 for Campfort, 76-74 for Abdullaev and 76-75 for Campfort.
Late in round one, Campfort dropped Abdullaev from a right hook. Abdullaev turned the tabled in round two by rocking Campfort and opening up a huge flurry to the point where Campfort threw Abdullaev to the canvas. It was a tough bout throughout as Abdullaev
Heavyweight Adam Kownacki scored a 2nd round stoppage over Excell Holmes in a scheduled 4 round bout.
Kownacki dominated and the fight was stopped after a huge flurry at 41 seconds of round two.
Kowncaki, 254 lbs of Brooklyn is now 6-0 with 6 knockouts. Holmes, 244 lbs of Buffalo is 2-3-1.
Michael Mitchell scored a 2nd round stoppage over Rafael Jastrzbeski in a scheduled four round Super Middleweight bout.
Mitchell scored 2 knockdowns and the fight was stopped at 2:53 of round two.
Mitchell, 163.8 lbs of Paterson, NJ is now 3-3-2 with 1 knockout. Jastrzbeski, 166 lbs of Vineland, NJ is now 4-8-1.
Wellington Romero scored a four round unanimous decision over Gerald Smith in a Jr. Welterweight bout.
Romero scored a knockdown in the first when a left hand drove Smith backfirst into the corner pad. Romero land a hard combination on the ropes in round two.
Scores were 40-35 on all cards for Romero, 138.6 lbs and is now 3-0. Smith, 139.2 lbs of Philadelphia is now 3-1.
In a battle of undefeated Middleweights, Ismael Garcia scored a six round unanimous decision over Dushane Crooks.
It was a spirited bout that saw Garcia, 156 lbs of Vineland, NJ win all cards by a 58-56 tally and is now 6-0. Crooks, 153.4 lbs of Brooklyn, NY is now 6-1.
