Denis Grachev rattles Ismayl Sillakh to become NABF light heavyweight champion – Boxing news
Denis Grachev, the current WBC Youth Intercontinental and WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight title holder, put forth a stunning performance and shocked the world by his upset win over top ranked Ismayl Sillakh eventually relinquishing him from his
NABF light heavyweight title.
The ring for the epic showdown was stretched at Frank Erwin Center situated in Austin, Texas, United States and the event was promoted by Roy Jones Jr of Square Ring & TNT Sports Promotions.
The above duo headlined the pay-per-view which was televised live on ESPN in its weekly boxing show ‘Friday Night Fights’. The bout was duly an impressive one since from the very beginning, the odds were highly in favour of Ismayl who not only possessed
more experience but also seated at World Boxing Council’s second rank hence becoming the future contender for WBC’s apex light heavyweight title.
But the Ukrainian’s dreams got severely shattered by Denis’ blow who not only grabbed a knockout win over Ismayl but also dethroned him from his NABF light heavyweight reign. Denis was entering in his career’s 13th bout with an undefeated win streak and
boasted seven of his total wins by knockout.
He has collected just one draw decision in his career against Ernesto Castaneda and since then was on a three-bout win streak. The 29-year-old was coming from an authoritative third round knockout win over Eddie Caminero and engraved his name on the vacant
WBC Youth Intercontinental and WBC Continental Americas light heavyweight titles.
Despite the flawless resume, Denis was nowhere to be found when compared with Sillakh. The Ukrainian orthodox was entering in his career’s 18th bout and boasted an emphatic 17 bout win streak.
He has nailed 14 of his total opponents by knockout and sits proudly at the 12th rank in the world rankings. In almost all the vital brawling facets, Ismayl had the clear upper hand but somehow Denis discovered the game plan requisite to nail the future
WBC contender.
The bout kicked off and Ismayl authoritatively set its pace. During the initial three rounds, it was visible that Sillakh is facing no problems in tackling the Russian ‘Pirate’. In the third round, Ismayl flattened Denis on the ring floor with his huge raw
powered jab.
Things took a sharp twist when Grachev started to counter Ismayl’s moves and in the eighth round eventually found an opening. Denis connected a thunderous right hand jab that rattled Sillakh.
Grachev moved in to capitalise the opening by leashing a wave of fists since Ismayl was busy in recuperating from the serious blow. This scenario provoked the bout-referee, Rocky Burke, to intervene and call off the bout at two minutes and 18 seconds.
With this huge career win, Denis has not only become the NABF light heavyweight champion but has also grabbed media’s attention who were waiting eagerly to interview Ismayl since he was highly expected to win the clash and take on the Chad Dawson-Bernard
Hopkins bout winner.
With this win Denis has strengthened his win streak to 12 wins, eight via KO whereas unfortunately, Ismayl has collected his careers first ever defeat.
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