Still waiting for his golden opportunity on the international stage, Erik Bazinyan maintained his form with a gritty knockout win over Billi Facundo Godoy on Thursday night at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal.
The 37-year-old Argentine, a veteran fighting in his 49th career fight, was never really in the game. He was knocked to the mat in the third round and only got back up when the referee ended the count.
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Laval-based Bazinyan (32-0, 23 KOs), Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) protégé, benefited from a very warm reception from the crowd, who chanted his name for much of the fight. Buoyed by this energy, he controlled the center of the ring and suffered only a few dangerous blows.
“I never underestimate my opponents,” assured the local hero. I knew he wasn't as good as the last one (Ronald Ellis). But in the second round he gave me a few rights. He's a boxer, he can punch. I concentrated and we saw what happened.”
Godoy (41-7, 20 KOs) is just another name in the rich track record of Bazinyan, who is ranked in the top five of the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF. All categories are being held hostage by Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who holds all four world titles.
“I know that I will become world champion, that I will fight with the best boxers and be part of the elite,” said Bazinyan confidently. I know there are people better than me and I work hard in the gym to improve.”
EOTTM promoter Camille Estephan also sees the situation with Alvarez as a tunnel, but there seems to be a light on the horizon. He's planning some big announcements for his 28-year-old boxer in the coming months.
Mary Spencer regains her confidence
After her two consecutive World Championship losses to Femke Hermans, Mary Spencer had to take a step back to rebuild her confidence. A one-round win against American Sonya Dreiling brought balm to the Ontarian's heart.
Spencer was dominant in just two minutes of the fight, forcing her opponent's corner to submit before the bell rang, signaling the start of the second round.
“I finished the job, but quicker than expected,” she admitted. I would have liked to have done more rounds, but if I can win in the first or second round, of course I will.
The defeats against Hermans in December 2022 and last October still hurt. We still felt the relief in the voice of the one who wants to get back in the ring for the next gala at the Montreal Casino on March 7th.
“I wanted a good performance. It's been a year and a half since I won. You don't realize how much it affects your self-confidence. “You wonder why you’re nervous three days beforehand,” said the 39-year-old boxer.
Ramirez puts on a show
In a semifinal fight against two completely different styles, Albert Ramirez (18-0, 15 KOs) managed to defeat Uzbekistan's Montrealer Artur Ziyatdinov (15-2, 12 KOs) by unanimous decision. O.).
Ramirez wore the gloves most of the time and fired up the crowd with his explosiveness. With his nonchalance and his smile that almost never left him, he surprised a boxer who was more patient. However, Ziyatdinov never managed to assert his game. The judges ruled in favor of the Venezuelan, handing out cards of 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92.
At the end of this 10-round war, Ramirez captured the WBA International light heavyweight belt. The 31-year-old pugilist, one of EOTTM's newest recruits, will be one to watch.