«K2 East Promotions» welterweight Viktor Plotnikov (22-1, 10 KOs) triumphed in the ring of Sportpalace «Ukraine» in Lviv where he won a very close fight against Sherzodbek Alimjanov (15-1, 10 KOs), a fighter from Uzbekistan. The loss appeared to be the first defeat in Alimjanov’s record while Plotnikov shone victorious and got vacant EBA (European Boxing Association) welterweight title.

On June 27th the two fighters’ clash headlined Lviv fight card which got the name «World Boxing in Lviv». Alimjanov fought in his usual aggressive style trying to fight from the inside. He aimed to hurt his rival with powerful punches which he delivered in a lot of combinations. From time to time he changed his stance from orthodox to southpaw which, however, produced no impression on Plotnikov and resulted in nothing.

Viktor Plotnikov wisely kept the distance and was counterpunching quite successfully from the outside. Although Alimjanov was the aggressor his straightforward and monotonous attacks were no enigma for Plotnikov. Alimjanov had no ace in the hole and finally Plotnikov came out the victor of that tense and close fight. However, one of the judges scored it a draw. The final scores were 114-114, 115-113 and 118-111 in favor of the Ukrainian boxer. Plotnikov became new EBA (European Boxing Association) welterweight champ.

Undefeated Croatian Mario Preskar and Maksym Pedyura from Ukrainian town of Kryvoi Rog headlined Lviv undercard. The dramatic collision full of heated exchanges ended in a draw.

Preskar being a smaller fighter nevertheless was more active in the ring in the first half of the eight-rounder. He attacked mainly from the inside throwing fast hooks aimed at both head and body of his opponent. Pedyura tried to compensate his lack of speed by enormous power of his punches. In the final round Pedyura decided to come out into the open and made his straightforward attacks more intensive. Preskar who until then had small advantage in points imprudently decided to get involved into exchanges and very soon regretted that. After two knockdowns in which he was sent by Pedyura’s heavy punches to the head Preskar heard the final bell but in a few seconds he fainted. He was carried out on a stretcher, later at resuscitation department of a local hospital he regained consciousness but so far stays under medical observation in intensive care unit.

Maksym Pedyura listened to judges’ verdict standing alone in the ring – despite two knockdowns in the final round the bout was scored a draw.


UNDERCARD RESULTS:

Artem Ayvazidi TKO8 Vitaly Olhovik
Valentin Golovko W(UD)8 Denis Tupilenko
Mamed Yadgarov TKO3 Asror Sotivoldiev
Alautdin Murtazaliev W(UD)8 Vladimir Borovsky
Kostya Rovensky W(UD)8 Tursunbay Abdullakimov