Carlos Takam did what no boxer had done before at the Casino de Montreal on Friday. He fended off Arslanbek Makhmudov, who won on a first career decision.
• Also read: Arslanbek Makhmudov and Carlos Takam face to face
Makhmudov (15-0, 14 KOs) declared a “destruction” and had to work hard to get that unanimous decision. In fact, the Russian had never taken more than seven rounds to complete a fight. Despite this unexpected result, he won the WBC Silver heavyweight belt while retaining his NABF and NABA titles.
The winner didn’t hide a certain surprise at the Frenchman’s sustained pace.
“Honestly I didn’t expect him to be in such good shape because I’ve seen his recent fights. He got tired. So I was in no hurry. But I’m happy because I’ve never done 10 laps before.
A good start
Unsurprisingly, the one nicknamed Leo started the fight with his best punches. Takam (39-7-1, 28 KOs) also visited the mat in the first round, getting up slightly before the end of the count.
The two men then watched each other for a few rounds and Takam managed to land a couple of good shots, not without hooking his rival at times. This lasted until the seventh round when Takam found himself back on the ground.
The last round was also the affair of the Frenchman, who suffered only four knockouts. in 47 fights in his career.
Steven Butler bursts
Steven Butler showed all his power in the semifinals. As he had done many times before, he stunned Mark DeLuca with a right in the second round and the American was unable to continue the fight.
Butler (31-3-1, 26 KOs) was pleased and revealed that he observed a tendency for DeLuca (28-4, 16 KOs) to lean over after a hit to launch a counterattack. He therefore chained a first harmless right with a consistent punch that found the target.
“Bang Bang” thus retains the NABF middleweight title after an excellent first defense. He certainly paved the way for a return to cross-federal favor against DeLuca (28-4, 16 KOs).
It’s a third straight win after a two-game losing streak for Butler, who spared no effort in his training camp. He had called up a rising star in the category in Austin Williams (11-0, 9 KOs) as his practice partner.
“It’s a win that tastes good after the two failures,” Butler said after his fight. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and that I didn’t give up when it came easy. Both defeats were heartbreaking and I’m glad I showed my character.”
10th round:
Takam advantage here. He is the aggressor and is more perceptive.
9th round:
Very shared recovery. Good exchange on both sides. Animated end of round.
8th round:
Slow down on both sides. Slight advantage for Makhmudov, who shows more initiative.
7th round:
Takam largely dominates this recovery. Makhmudov touches several good straights, even forcing him to lean on the cables. However, Mahmudov ended strongly, knocking his opponent down for the second time.
6th round:
Makhmudov hits Takam in the head with two good combinations. Takam finishes strong by throwing a solid right hand that hits Makhmudov in the head.
5th round:
Makhmudov launches the best attacks but doesn’t connect the way he would like. Takam moves and protects well.
4th round:
After a quiet first minute, the intensity increases again at the end of the round. Takam lands Makhmudov on the head again with two powerful right hands. The round is his.
3rd round:
Takam hits Makhmudov on the head with two powerful punches. Mahkmutov tries to answer, with little success. He is forced to step back into the ring for one of the few times in his career.
2nd round:
Makhmudov initiates most of the attacks, but Takam moves well around the ring and manages to dodge most of the adopted Quebecer’s attempts.
1 round:
Makhmudov quickly sends Takam down. But the Franco-Cameroonian gets up and reacts surprisingly well, throwing in some good right hands.