Andrei Kudriavtsev © www.union-boxing.com

Roman Greenberg scored a come from behind win knocking out Alexei Varakin in the 6th round last night in the main event of the Monte Carlo Boxe Masters III in the full packed Salles des Etoiles. Greenberg was caught at the end of the 1st round by Varakin and in all kind of trouble from there on. However he showed that he had a big heart and except for a brief moment in the 4th never really looked in danger of being stopped till he produced that cracking right uppercut that knocked out Varakin for more then the count. Greenberg now unbeaten in 23 fights, 16 inside, will appear on Warriors show in Hollywood on December 9th. Leon Margules of Warriors, who co-promote Greenberg, was ringside in Monaco.

Two other titlefights took place on the undercard. Italian Stefania Bianchini hold on to her WBC Flyweight title with a split draw against Zhang Xi Yang from China. It was scored 96-94 by Dolpierre for Bianchini, 97-92 from Guggenheim for Bianchini, while Belgian judge Van de Wiele scored it a draw 95-95. Referee Richie Davies had his hands full to get the fight going as there was a lot of holding and clinching. Bianchini was deducted 1 point under the WBC cut-rule for an accidental headbutt in round 7.
Ukrainian supermiddle Stas Kashtanov retained his WBC Youth title with a unanimous decision over Belgian Michael Henrotin. It was scored 96-94, 97-92 and a much too wide 98-91.

Absolutely best fight of the evening was the opener between Ukrainian Andrei Kudriavtsev and Anthony Mezaache from France. Mezaache won 4 of the first 5 rounds and was on route to score an upset against the WBC #19 rated boxer from Donetsk. Mezaache then run out of steam and was almost stopped in the last round. This 10 round lightweight thriller was scored 95-95 and twice 96-95 in favor of the Ukrainian.

Other results: Welterweight Vyacheslav Senchenko from Donetsk, Ukraine impressively knocked out Italian Vincenzo Finzi in the 2nd round with a perfect body punch. Christophe Canclaux from France, fighting under the banner of Sauerland Promotion, scored a 5th round knock out against Laszlo Buranyi. The Hungarian was down in round one and two and went down for the full count in the 5th. Gareth Couch won a 6 round decision and Wu Zhi Yu from China closely defeated Nabil Haciani over 4 rounds at lightheavyweight