Bethlehem, PA: Vyacheslav "Czar" Glazkov did what only two out of 51 men before him managed to do
- defeat veteran brawler Tomasz "Goral" Adamek. In a twelve
round unanimous decision the 29 year-old Olympic Bronze Medalist from
Lugansk, Ukraine (17-0-1, 11 KOs) remains undefeated as he upsets the 37
year-old veteran from Gilowice, Poland, Tomasz "Goral" Adamek (49-3-0,
29 KOs) to win the NABF North American Heavyweight Title and secure the
#2 position in the IBF. Two judges scored the bout 117-111 and one
judge scored the bout 116-110. Glazkov landed an amazing 37% (212 of
580) of his shots on the veteran Adamek, who landed only 21% (161 of
761). Czar said, "I would like to thank Main Events and Kathy Duva for
giving me this opportunity and taking me to this road. I also want to
thank Tomasz Adamek for taking this bout and giving me this opportunity.
He was risking
more than I did. Tomasz was not a guy who was backing up, he was coming
forward. It was a very good bout."
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Adamek vs. Glazkov
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events |
The
standing room only crowd at Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, PA was
battling to see who could scream louder for their hero with the "Adamek"
chants only slightly overpowering the "Glazkov" cheers. Glazkov
controlled the first round with his jab and did not let Adamek do much.
Glazkov was landing some big shots. Adamek started to gain momentum in
the third but then his right eye started to swell in the fourth.
Things started to slow down in the sixth round. Then Glazkov landed
some heavy shots in the seventh; Adamek did too but he was not as
effective. Adamek's face looked significantly worse as the fight wore
on, but he still managed to land some key shots. According to Compubox,
in the last two rounds Adamek out-landed Glazkov 55-38 in total punches
and 32-22 in power punches, though it was not enough to overcome
Glazkov.
Main
Events' CEO Kathy Duva said, "This is a passing of the
torch. Glazkov did everything he absolutely had to do to win this fight
against a very tough and very accomplished opponent. Tonight he
announced his arrival to everyone that he belongs among the top five
heavyweights. Adamek is someone who has been a top ten heavyweight for
the last six to ten years. I am really at a loss to say who amazed me
more."
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Grachev vs. Chilemba
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events |
The
international show on NBCSN Fight Night began with a ten round light
heavyweight war between #2 Isaac "Golden Boy" Chilemba (22-2-2, 9 KOs)
of Johannesburg, South Africa and #7 Denis "The Pirate/Drago's Son"
Grachev (13-3-1, 8 KOs) of Chaykoysky, Russia. Chilemba dominated over
Grachev and won via unanimous decision. Two judges scored the fight
99-91 and one scored the fight 100-90 all in favor of Chilemba.
According to Compubox, Chilemba averaged 13 jabs connected per round,
which is more than double the division average. Chilemba landed an
astounding 42% (326 of 772) of his punches compared to 18% (108 of 587)
for Grachev. Chilemba said, "I am feeling good, it was great. I knew
he was going to be tough but I was pleased with the outcome."
The
first round started slow as both guys were feeling each other out.
Grachev was really coming forward, but Chilemba was able to keep the
distance, utilizing his jab. There were a lot of great exchanges with
both men landing big shots. Chilemba was controlling the fight, however,
with his jab. Grachev got a bad cut by the corner of his left eye
that continued to bleed for the duration of the fight. Both men looked
battered at the end of this exciting brawl.
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Cruz vs. Cintron Photo Credits:
Rich Graessle/Main Events |
The
much-anticipated ten round welterweight fight for local bragging rights
between Ronald Cruz (20-3-0, 15 KOs) of Bethlehem, PA and Kermit Cintron
(35-5-2, 28 KOs) of Reading, PA certainly had this sold-out crowd
making noise. Cruz and Cintron did not disappoint their hometown crowd
with a brutal battle that was almost too close to call. Despite having
the majority of the crowd support, Cruz could not overcome Cintron.
Cintron edged out Cruz for the unanimous decision with all three judges
scoring the bout 96-94. Cruz's connect rate was higher, landing 34% of
his total punches thrown compared to 22% for Cintron, but both landed
almost the same number of punches with Cintron connecting on 154 of 703
and Cruz connecting on 152 of 453.
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McDowell vs. Dargan
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events |
In
eight rounds of lightweight action between Karl "Dynamite" Dargan
(14-0-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA and Chazz "Magnificent" McDowell
(6-4-1, 1 KO) of Hartford, CT, Dargan dominated the entire fight.
McDowell had trouble making weight, initially weighing in at 144.5 lbs.
but was able to get down to 142. Dargan won via unanimous decision with
all three judges scoring the bout 80-72. Impressively, Dargan landed
23% (114 of 506) of his total punches while McDowell landed only 16% (36
of 226).
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Williams vs. Rodriguez
Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events |
The
six round fight between light welterweights Jerome Rodriguez (6-0-2, 2
KOs) of Allentown, PA and Brandon Williams (3-0-0) Rochester, NY ended
in a draw. The judges scored the fight 58-57 for Rodriguez, 55-59 for
Williams and 57-57.
In
the four round super bantamweight swing bout following the main event,
Luis Acevedo of Bethlehem, PA made his professional debut against Josh
Crespo (1-1-1, 1 KO) of New Haven, CT with a draw.