Arslanbek Makhmudov (left) and Carlos Takam. Photo Credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger
Heavyweight contender Arslanbek Makhmudov (15-0, 14 KOs) had to work hard to reverse former title challenger Carlos Takam’s (39-7-1, 28 KOs) valiant effort by a 10-round unanimous decision at the Montreal Casino, Friday.
Makhmudov, who entered the fight with 10 first-round knockouts in 14 fights, scored two knockdowns and was awarded decision by scores of 97-91 and 96-92 twice.
The Canadian-based Russian giant threatened to end things in the first minute when he hurt Takam with the first significant blow and then dropped him moments later. However, Takam got up and threw some wild shots that kept Makhmudov from going for the knockout.
Makhmudov landed a clean right hand that Takam took well early in the second round. Las Vegas-based Takam found a way to get under the taller Makhmudov and make things ugly, but he also had his own success landing big left hands.
Arslanbek Makhmudov (right) against Carlos Takam. Photo Credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger
Midway through the round, the pattern seemed to change. Takam got into the fight and looked dangerous. Smelling blood, the two traded blows in the seventh, but Makhmudov made the best of things and dropped Takam to the canvas. Again, Takam got to his feet and before the action could continue, he rang the bell to end the round.
For the next two rounds, both men continued to look for that punch, not really looking to use the jab and establish a rhythm. They ended the ninth with a wild exchange in Makhmudov’s corner.
Round 10 was very exciting as both fighters knew the fight was close and were looking for that one punch that could turn the fight in their favor.
Ultimately, Makhmudov was victorious, but he had to work his way through it in by far his toughest test to date. Makhmudov took more hits in this fight than in his entire career combined. However, it seemed to serve as a valuable learning curve.
Middleweight Steven Butler (31-3-1, 26 KOs) impressively stopped Mark DeLuca in the first defense of his NABF title.
Steven Butler (left) vs. Mark DeLuca. Photo Credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger
The two traded on even terms in the first round before Butler displayed his vaunted power, dropping DeLuca with a right hand midway through the second round. Although DeLuca (28-4, 16 KOs) managed to get to his feet, he stumbled and referee Steven St. Germain erred out of caution and stopped the fight at 1:59.
Thomas Chabot (right) against Armando Ramírez. Photo Credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger
Junior lightweight Thomas Chabot wasted no time dropping Armando Ramirez in the first round and then twice more in the second round to earn the stoppage at 1:24 of the second round. The 22-year-old is an exciting fighter and went to (7-0, 7 KOs), while Ramirez drops to (3-2).
Jean-Gardy Francois (left) vs. Andres Sanchez Ramirez. Photo Credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger
Jean-Gardy Francois (3-0, 2 KOs) remained undefeated with a four-round unanimous decision over Mexico’s Andrés Sánchez Ramírez (4-5-3, 2 KOs) in a junior lightweight bout. Francois had to contain the aggressive Sánchez Ramírez and the action heated up at times. Francois was awarded the decision by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37.
Emma Góngora (right) against Martine Vallieres. Photo Credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger
In an action-packed featherweight fight, Emma Gongora (5-2) defeated Martine Vallieres Bisson (5-2, 1 KO) in the second round. The 29-year-old French lady seemed to have things under control, bleeding Bisson’s nose in the third round. However, the excess of zeal in the referral from Martín Forest, who took two points from Góngora, one in the third and another in the sixth round, closed the gap on the scorecards and left an element of doubt. Ultimately, it didn’t matter and Góngora was awarded the six-round unanimous decision by scores of 58-54 and 57-54 twice.
Hamza Khabbaz (right) José Gutiérrez Bolaños. Photo Credit: Vincent Ethier/Eye of the Tiger
Local welterweight Hamza Khabbaz (5-0, 1 KO) earned his third win of the year with a four-round unanimous decision over Mexican import Jose Gutierrez Bolaños (2-6). Khabbaz swept all three cards at 40-36.
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
Arslanbek Makhmudov ready for Carlos Takam’s step forward: ‘I’m here to destroy everyone’ – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Steven Butler is renewed for the return fight against Mark DeLuca in Montreal – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Weigh-in alert: Arslanbek Makhmudov 263.2 pounds, Carlos Takam 261.4 – The Ring (ringtv.com)
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @AnsonWainwright
