Heavyweight beast Arslanbek Makhmudov saw any hopes of fighting for a world title go up in smoke after a second career stoppage.
After putting his first knockout to Agit Kabayel down to a broken hand, the Russian giant got the benefit of the doubt when amassing a standout record of 18 stoppages from 19 wins. It was thought Makhmudov would soon be mixing it with Oleksandr Usyk and the other top-level operators. That’s no longer on the table as Makhmudov, who looks like an absolute juggernaut, contemplates a future in the also-ran stakes.
Guido Vianello pushed his record to 13-2-1 and registered an eleventh knockout as the Italian Olympian secured the most crucial career win in the eighth round. The co-feature occurred on the undercard of Christian Mbilli’s fight with Sergiy Derevyanchenko.
Vianello avenged Makhmudov’s World Series of Boxing victory in Milan in 2015 when the home favorite had to retire due to injury. This time, it was different, as Vianello quickly got the upper hand and opened up facial damage on his opponent.
Makhmudov, who doesn’t fight well under pressure, tried to go for the stoppage himself but, in his eagerness, was deducted a point for rabbit punches. Vianello was in control, though, and from the seventh round, it looked a matter of time before he ended the fight.
A knockdown in the seventh wasn’t ruled as such despite Makhmudov’s glove touching the canvas. However, the end came in the very next session as the doctor stepped in to save Makhmudov for another day.
Heavyweight contender
After his greatest triumph, Vianello declared he was ready for the top fifteen.
“I am a contender now. I’m ready for the world level and proved that tonight,” said ‘The Gladiator.’
“I thought I beat Efe Ajagba, and I came into this fight with a lot of confidence. I was in the best career shape, and that showed tonight. I’ve dominated him and then knocked him out. I just had to stay composed. There was a knockdown that wasn’t called, but I knew if I stuck to my strategy, I would get the knockout.”
Makhmudov posted a picture of his swollen eye from the fight on his Instagram page but only offered a religious phrase as he contemplated his next move.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
