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Cheavon Clarke continues to dig a little deeper into every pro fight, but still finds ways to close out the show.
The undefeated cruiserweight defeated Argentina’s Marcos Nicolas Karalitzky en route to a fourth-round knockout victory on Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England. No takedowns were scored in the contest, but Karalitzky was unable to fight back when referee Kevin Parker stopped the fight at 2:21 of the fourth round.
Clarke turned professional in early February, seven months after representing Great Britain at last summer’s delayed 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The 31-year-old Jamaican cruiserweight based in Gravesend, Kent, scored a second-round knockout in his pro debut at The O2, where he returned in May to earn a third-round knockout.
Saturday’s fight saw Clarke work steadily against a durable Karalitzky, who had never been stopped in his previous fourteen fights. The 33-year-old Argentine was no match for Clarke, aptly nicknamed ‘C4’ and who was explosive in his attack throughout the contest.
Karalitzky found his back pinned to the ropes trying to defend himself, but it turned out to be his undoing. Clarke landed crushing right hands and right hooks along with left hooks while Karalitzky was banged up and on his feet. This was recognized by the referee, who intervened to rescue the visiting day laborer from suffering more punishment.
Clarke improves to (3-0, 3KOs), with Matchroom Boxing plans to bring him back in November.
Headlining the show, Maxi Hughes (25-5-2, 5KOs) defends his IBO lightweight title against former IBF featherweight champion Kid Galahad (28-2, 17KOs), who is moving up in weight. Also on the show, WBA/IBO junior middleweight champion Hannah Rankin (12-5, 3KOs) defends her crown against former WBC/IBO junior lightweight champion Terri Harper (12-1-1, 6KOs), who moves up three divisions after only recently campaigning at lightweight.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
