Włodarczyk won but failed to impress. Tryc passed the biggest test of his career
This was supposed to be Krzysztof Włodarczyk’s (58-4-1, 39 KO) final step before a world title fight. At the professional boxing gala in Zakopane, he defeated Taylor Mabika (19-5-1, 10 KO), but if he performs similarly against Ilunga Makabu, a painful lesson may await him.
After the first, exploratory round, a little more began to happen between the ropes from the second onward. Krzysiek used his left jab to set up his opponent and won successive rounds with that punch. However, he could not find the elusive opponent with his right hand. The exception came in the second round, when he landed a short right uppercut in close. Mabika did not take risks. Whenever he managed to evade a “Diablo” attack, he tried to answer with a powerful counter. Around the halfway point of the fight, Włodarczyk lost some of his ideas. He repeated the same combinations, and his clever opponent quickly read them. In the seventh round, Mabika stepped in several times with a right-hand counter. Włodarczyk returned with a better eighth round, but he still lacked follow-up attacks. Even when he landed, he immediately took a step back. That continued until the end. After the final bell, the judges scored the fight 98:92, 97:93 and 96:94 in favor of the Pole.
Fiodor Czerkaszyn (15-0, 10 KO) may have been the biggest talent on the Polish scene in several years. However, he must confirm that in clashes with top-level fighters. What is clear, though, is that he shines against solid-at-best middleweights. Standing across from the Ukrainian with Polish roots was Mathias Eklund (11-3-2, 4 KO), but he never threatened Fiodor Łapin’s charge. After just three minutes, the Finn’s face resembled a bloody mask. After the break, Czerkaszyn toyed with his opponent and clearly held back, wanting to spend a few more minutes in the ring. The disparity was so great, however, that the fight ended in the third round. The first knockdown came after a right hook. Twenty seconds before the bell ending the round, a flurry of punches against the ropes sent the Finn down for a second time, and a towel was thrown from his corner as a sign of surrender.
Mateusz Tryc (9-0, 5 KO) had something to prove. He passed the most serious test of his professional career, however, and dealt with Shakeel Phinn (21-3-1, 15 KO) relatively easily. The opening was calm, but an exchange in close quarters came toward the end of the first round. In the second, Mateusz began landing right uppercuts at close range. In the third, he added a fine left jab, breaking his opponent’s nose. The bloodied Canadian increased the pace at the beginning of the fourth round and landed two right hooks on the Pole. Tryc took the punches without flinching, and once again controlled the action with his jab in the closing seconds. Over the following minutes, he continued attacking and won the fifth and sixth rounds through his activity. After the break, he returned to his jab and at times switched to a southpaw stance. This surprised his opponent and extended his lead. Aware that he was behind, Phinn launched an assault in the final round, but Tryc absorbed his bombs on his guard and answered with punches of his own. The Canadian’s late rally came too late. Mateusz deservedly carried the victory through to the end. The judges unanimously scored it 78:74 for the Pole.
Denis Krieger (14-11-2, 9 KO) had never been stopped, while Przemysław Zyśk (11-0, 4 KO) is not regarded as a puncher. A full-distance fight was expected, but the contest lasted just two minutes. Przemek drove his opponent to the ropes and landed a long right straight. The Moldovan was hurt, but the ropes saved him from a knockdown. Perhaps that was ultimately his undoing. The Pole leapt in, unleashed a series of further bombs and forced the referee to stop the bout.
Damian Kiwior (6-1-1) undoubtedly possesses considerable ability, but he lacks fire and artillery. At a higher level, he may find himself lacking punching power. In the path of the former Polish champion stood the weak and exceptionally defensive-minded Ivan Njegac (12-12, 4 KO). For eighteen minutes, Damian battered his head and liver area, but he was never close to a stoppage win. After the bell ending the sixth round, the judges unanimously scored it 60:54 for Kiwior.
In excellent form, Kamil Bednarek (2-0, 1 KO) dominated and comfortably defeated the solid Siergiej Żuk (3-6-2). In the middle of the first round, Kamil landed a left cross, then followed up moments later with a left hook that broke his opponent’s nose. Piotr Wilczewski’s charge was faster, stronger and more accurate. He alternated between attacking the Ukrainian’s head and body, while Żuk breathed through his mouth as blood streamed from his nose. Late in the second round, Bednarek floored his opponent with a left hook, but did not have enough time to finish the job. After the break, the ambitious Żuk came forward, but Kamil was also effective from the defensive position. The final three minutes were the most even, although the Pole’s superiority was beyond dispute. After the final bell, the judges unanimously awarded the fight to Bednarek, scoring it 40:35.
source: bokser.org
