Local light heavyweight Ricky Pow out boxed Latvian champion Arturs Kulikauskis for six rounds en route to a unanimous decision in Daya Nueva on Saturday night. All three judges had the 26 year old well in front, carding scores in Pow’s favour, 59-55, 60-56 and 58-55. In a six round contest the margin of victory was overwhelming.
Pow showed the maturity of a much more experienced boxer using his jabs to pick apart the Latvian on his feet. The calm, calculating home fighter won almost every battle during the contest without putting himself in harm’s way.
With 30 fights under his belt, against some very good opponents, Kulikauskis knew that he had his work cut out very early on as, after a cautious opening, Pow hurt the Latvian with two stinging lefts.
Pow was pushing forward and as he gathered confidence he had the Latvian back on the ropes and wobbling in the second. The Latvian hit the canvas after a swift right-hander from Pow in the third , but was saved by the bell as the young Brit ran out of time, however, the third round onslaught from Pow had opened up a cut over the Latvian’s left eye.
Pow continued to work on the front foot and on the odd occasion that he was pushed back onto the ropes he quickly turned his opponent to regain the dominant position centre ring.
The Latvian southpaw failed to land a punch of consequence on Pow throughout the entire fight although his long left jabs found their mark a few times in the fourth and fifth. Pow backed off a little to avoid getting caught but by this time he was clearly ahead on all three judges scorecards.
A late flurry from the Latvian was turned around by Pow in the sixth with two powerful shots.
Kulikauskis came to the fight with a chip on his shoulder and plenty of attitude. He left with a loss, a cut eye and lumps on his face, although he was gracious in defeat showing respect t his opponent after the fight
Speaking to Pow after his win he told the Leader "I have to take it one step at a time, I respect the sport and anyone who does it. That’s why I train so hard."
It will now be interesting to see the leap that Pow has taken in the rankings when the numbers are reworked later this week. I fully expect him to have moved to within the top thirty light heavyweights in Europe.
In the evenings supporting professional bout Magomed Azuev from Torrevieja edged the Latvian heavyweight Alexander Selezens in a scrappy affair to wrap up proceedings.
All in all this was another fabulous night of boxing at Daya Nueva but such a pity that it was played to a half empty auditorium. These young men and women who dedicate the best part of their developing lives to the sport deserve better. It’s such a shame that when we seem to be writing about the efforts of today’s youth for the all the wrong reasons, those who decide to take a disciplined and a healthy approach to life are not rewarded more for their commendable efforts.
Amateur Results, home names first:
Antonio Juan Bas (Club Dayabox) lost to Bryan Steven Tobar (Castilla La Mancha) on points
Fabio Cases (Club Dayabox) beat Abdel Sekkat (Murcia) on points
Manuel Perez (Club Dayabox) beat Oscar Paul (Almeria) on points
Javier Pacheco (Club Taekung) lost to David Pardo (Murcia) – 2nd round ko
Andrea Sola (Club Dayabox) Yomira Zambrano (Almeria) – Draw (Feminino)
Pedro La Rocalla (Club Dayabox) beat Victor Garcia (Almeria) – 1st round ko
Ruben Lopez (Club Dayabox) lost to David Mejia (Albacete)on points
Jesus Bondonado (Club Dayabox) lost to Javier Mejia (Albacete) – 2nd round ko
Valeriu Dodea (Club Taekung) beat Sassoun Youssof (Murcia)on points
Yury Paskovish (Club Taekung) lost to Juan Jose Gomez (Murcia) on points
PHOTOS KEVIN RENDALL
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/39733/
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