Włodarczyk Is Back in the Game as Poles Score Impressive Wins in Rzeszów
Krzysztof Włodarczyk (55-4-1, 38 KOs) is back in the game and can still be regarded as part of the wider elite at cruiserweight. In the main event in Rzeszów, the former two-time world champion unanimously defeated Olanrewaju Durodola (27-6, 25 KOs).
“Diablo” opened with good footwork and his jab. From the second round onward, however, his opponent launched a determined attack. The fighter trained by Fiodor Łapin sometimes surrendered the initiative too easily, but his guard remained tight and he did not absorb many clean punches. As the fight progressed, the Pole found his rhythm and responded increasingly well with counterpunches. In the sixth round, Włodarczyk’s trademark left hook shook Durodola. The Pole did not follow up, instead sticking consistently to his game plan. In the seventh, after taking a step back, he landed a powerful right uppercut and again rocked his opponent. We saw a good, technical fight through to the end. After the final bell, the judges unanimously awarded the decision to “Diablo,” scoring it 98-92 and 97-93 twice.
Łukasz Różański (9-0, 8 KOs) added another win over a fighter past his prime but still carrying a respected name. This time he defeated Michael Sprott (42-29, 17 KOs). The Pole went after the experienced Englishman from the opening bell. He began his attacks with the jab, using it primarily to close the distance. Up close, he threw hooks and looping punches from both hands with full power. Sprott was knocked down twice in the first round, but the bell saved him before the end of the session. It was only a postponement of the inevitable. At the start of the second, Różański trapped his opponent in the corner. After another knockdown, the referee stopped the bout and declared the hometown fighter the winner by TKO.
Fiodor Czerkaszyn (10-0, 7 KOs) makes no secret of the fact that he likes attacking the liver. Looking for that target is slowly becoming his trademark. Ayoub Nefzi (26-11-2, 5 KOs) found that out painfully. Near the end of the first round, the Ukrainian with Polish roots landed a left hook to the liver, forcing the experienced opponent down to one knee. The bell sounded moments later. The one-minute break did not help the Tunisian, however. At the start of the second round, he protected the right side of his body, so Czerkaszyn changed targets and landed a right hook to the solar plexus. The punch took effect with a delay. Two seconds later, Nefzi dropped to one knee again and was counted out.
Przemysław Zyśk (7-0, 3 KOs) defeated Pavla Semjonovsa (22-10-2, 8 KOs) in solid fashion. The Pole sought to fight at mid-range. He tried the right uppercut several times, but did not always get the distance right. The one-two, however, was effective. When his opponent began to read it, Zyśk responded with a straight right cross. He also looked for body shots with a long right hand and a left hook under the right elbow. Near the ends of the fourth and sixth rounds, the Pole was caught by left hooks, but the punches had little effect on him. In the seventh, he lengthened his combinations, punched more freely and took control again. Zyśk did not dazzle, but he produced solid boxing. For the second time in his career, he went the full eight rounds. The judges unanimously awarded him the victory, scoring it 80-72 and 79-73 twice.
Rafał Jackiewicz (50-19-2, 22 KOs) recorded a milestone victory. After a difficult bout, he defeated Aliaksandr Dzemka (5-5, 1 KO). He initially controlled the fight with an effective jab, but gave his opponent the initiative in the second round. The Belarusian mostly landed on Jackiewicz’s guard, but was more active and made up the ground he had lost in the opening round. From the third round onward, the fight became more even. Jackiewicz punched less frequently, but his shots carried greater impact. In close quarters, he landed a spectacular right uppercut, although the bout lacked sustained action. He increased his activity in the sixth and secured the win down the stretch. The judges awarded him a majority decision: 58-56, 59-55 and 57-57.
Earlier, Maksim Hardzeika (4-0, 2 KOs) stopped Tomasz Goluch (6-13, 4 KOs) in the second round. The Belarusian sent the Pole to the canvas four times with body shots.
source: bokser.org
