By Alexey Sukachev / Photos by Boxnews.com.ua, June, 11, 2007

One step or two from fighting for a world crown, WBA #2 welterweight Yuri Nuzhnenko had no business losing an optional defense of his WBA intercontinental title against rugged Argentinean veteran Juan Carlos Villareal. And the Ukrainian 147 lbs. hope did exactly what he was expected to do by totally overwhelming an aging foe for twelve rounds and keeping his perfect unbeaten record intact. The Nuzhnenko-Villareal showdown headlined a huge event, presented by the National Box Promotions on Saturday in Kiev, Ukraine.

Fighting beyond the cheerful home crowd Nuzhnenko, 31, tended not to risk much. He playfully avoided his rival’s wild swings scoring with the jab and occasional right hooks in round one. Realizing he had no success in process, Villareal, 37, turned into the crouch stance, trying to frustrate the opponent with his unorthodox defensive style. Nuzhnenko, however, easily found the keys for Villareal defense, scoring numerously with the powerful hooks and crosses both to the head and the body.

There was a feeling the bout wouldn’t get behind the middle rounds but it did thanks to Argentinean’s granite chin and steel will. He somehow was even able to score with a few wild hands but its total outcome was way lower than Yuri’s. The end of the bout was fought in an average pace.

All three judges gave Nuzhnenko a lopsided decision (120-108, 120-108, 119-109) to announce the third successful defense of his title. Yuri is now 26-0, 13 KOs, and one step closer to his first crack at world title. Villareal, on the other hand, proved his exceptional toughness by lasting a distance with the world rated contender. However, his professional record is falling back with 38-8-1, 23 KOs.

UNDERCARD

Vadim Safonov (19-2, 9 KOs) didn’t prove his world rankings with the dull performance against aged Russian trialhorse Valery Makeev (1-23, 1 KO). Safonov was never able to finish his 41-year old opponent, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision over eight rounds.

Junior welterweight Sergey Fedchenko (15-0, 5 KOs) proved he is a strong finisher on demand, stopping experienced Russian journeyman Sergey Starkov (16-42-2) in three. Starkov fought bravely the first two rounds but was unable to land something serious, forcing referee to stop the match due to the accumulation of punches.

Welterweight Valery Brazhnik (13-0, 8 KOs) was at his best, finishing Belarussian foe Sasha Shnip (19-14, 10 KOs) in the second round. Shnip was badly dropped twice during the bout.

Light heavyweight Vyacheslav Uzelkov (15-0, 8 KOs) dropped Hugarian Zoltan Kiss-jr. (11-3-2, three times with the explosive body punishment in the first and only round of their fight. In a minor upset hulking Ukrainian heavyweight Alexander Kabanov (2-0, 2 KOs) was floored by unheralded Andrey Kondrich (1-2, 1 KOs) in round one only to lose four-round decision.

Other results

Vitaly Rusal (14-0, 9 KOs) TKO 3 Makhmud Atatdzanov (4-5, 3 KOs)
Maxim Bursak (9-0, 1 KO) PTS 8 Tagir Rzaev (5-36-1, 2 KOs)
Avtandil Khutsidze (8-1-2, 6 KOs) TKO 5 Taras Boyko (5-6)