Shishkin vs. Riojas

Well as a lot of us thought, Calvin Metcalf came to fight this evening and Timur Kerefov was a couple of levels above Metcalf in his Boxing ability... Kerefov has had an extensive Amateur career in the Russian National team and subsequently had a reported 337 Amateur fights, with 317 Wins and 20 losses... A deserved winner in tonight's bout, even though the fight did go to the Judges Scorecards... For me Kerefov did Win every Round and he will look to be fast tracked by Salita Promotions towards Regional and International Titles in the Middleweight Division... One criticism I would make is that Kerefov still fights like a European Amateur, doesn't plant his feet enough and therefore, currently doesn't carry finishing power...Hence, he will need to be fit moving forward as he will likely have to go the distance every time, on his way to trying to get the Win 🤔🥊👊👍

I was soooo close with my prediction, out by 1 Round.... I thought Shishkin would try to get in the Rounds, which he did... He took his time through the first 5 Rounds, Boxing behind his Jab, throwing heavy right hands where necessary and when possible... Oscar Riojas was tough, determined to survive and never stopped trying to fend off the incoming danger power shots...From Round 6, Shishkin stepped up his work rate and combination power punches... Hurting Riojas at times through 6 and 7....In the eighth Shishkin stepped on the gas a little to try and take Riojas out, without being caught with a big swing, which on Riojas part, was usually a big swing and a miss, or an arm punch, with no power behind it....Shishkin really put it on Riojas in the last minute of the 8th Round and thought he would get the finish, but Riojas hung in and survived the Round...just....After stern words from Sugar Hill Steward between Rounds and sensing his opponent was still hurting after a tough Round 8, the onslaught began in Round 9 and Riojas was dropped heavily at the start of the Round....This ultimately became the beginning of the end, as Shishkin unloaded at will until Riojas stopped defending himself effectively and the Referee Frank Garza called a halt to proceedings.... Shishkin definitely is a top 15 World Super Middleweight fighter and his next fight either has to be an Eliminator for one of the World Titles, or a shot at one of the World Titles. He has all the ability to Win one, he just needs to believe in himself more and be a little more ruthless at the top level in order to push for a finish... A very good performance overall against a durable opponent who has only been stopped 3 times previously in 13 losses against great prospects and World level contenders... 🤔🥊👊👍