By Alexey Sukachev, May, 24, 2007

Neither Janos Nagy, nor former IBF champion Valdemir Perreira, nor was anybody else able to stop hard-nosed Belarussian Yuri Romanovich, 22, not even close to. At least until last Saturday, when Yuri faced Russian-based Uzbek and former Sydney Olympian Alisher Rakhimov, 29, for the interim Russian 130 lbs title in “Krilya Sovetov” sports hall, Moscow. The show was promoted by “Imperia” promotional group.

However, what was predicted to be a competitive fight then soon turned into the mismatch. Shorter but stronger Rakhimov chased his opponent across the ring, giving him no break to breathe. In the first round Romanovich, fighting outside, landed a few single bombs from the distance without any effect on his extremely determined foe. The second saw Yuri trying to outbox Rakhimov but it was all over, when Alisher rocked Romanovich badly with his uppercut, driving Belarussian into the full-time survival mode. Somehow he was able to get it until the bell. The pace was much slower the next round, however, Romanovich hit the deck in what was ruled a slip by the referee Evgueni Gorstkov. The end came predictably in the fourth round, when Rakhimov came out blazing away from all hands, soon forcing referee to stop the fight, as Romanovich lay helplessly on the ropes.       

Still unrated by any sanctioning body Rakhimov, undefeated with 14-0, 7 KOs, and some decent wins over world rated Stanislav Merdov and local notables Vyacheslav Gusev and Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov, is definitely worth looking after. On the other hand, Romanovich fell down to 14-5, 11 KOs, going 0-4 in his last outings against a huge opposition with an overall record of 70-0. 

Russian-based Armenian lightweight Arman Sargsyan, 26, continued his unblemished streak with an impressive stoppage of Uzbek Bekzod Nabiev, 21, in co-main event of the evening. Sargsyan floored his foe in the first round but failed to make the job done quickly. Both fighters gave it all in the middle section of the bout; however, Arman clearly dominated his opponent with the jab. The fight was stopped in the eighth round due to severe swellings over Nabiev’s face. With the victory Sargsyan (now 11-0, 6 KOs) captured the WBC Asian Boxing Council lightweight belt and showed some potential. Nabiev is now 8-2-1, 5 KOs, and needs time to regroup.

Former fringe middleweight contender Aslanbek Kodzoev (17-2-1, 12 KOs) came back strong after a long layoff by stopping hugely overmatched journeyman Roman Lobachev (6-11-1, 2 KOs) in two brutal rounds. Kodzoev last fought in January, 2006, losing to Marko Antonio Rubio.

Other results:

Talgat Dosanov (9-3-1, 4 KOs) UD 8 Oleksandr Garastchenko (14-10, 6 KOs)

Vusal Aliev (pro debut) UD 4 Alauddin Murtazaliev (1-0, 1 KO)

Semyon Uporov (2-0, 1 KO) UD 4 Igor Mirgorodsky (0-0-1)