Last noche's ESPN FNF feature offering for the NABF l/heavy strap saw defending belt holder Ismayl Syllakh proving too shifty and complete, for the game but untested Yordanis Despaigne.

Opening stanza sees the transplanted Ukraine Syllakh using the jab and good movement to keep the Cuban Olympian Despaigne, at bay.

Round two it’s Syllakh in control as he backs the small arms fire with power left hook/right hand combination and Despaigne is down but not out. Things get tougher over stanza three, with the Ukraine showing western style boxing skills that result in the game Cuban finishing the stanza cut over both eyes.

Despaigne manages to grab numbers four and five as Syllakh returns to his boxing game over looking for the knockout – and this one would convert more  to a Syllakh showcase than a serious challenge for the minor league bauble.

Official scoring went all Syllakh to the tune of 99-90, 98-91, 98-91 ~ my unofficial agreed Syllakh 98-91 in points and 8-2 under round by round scoring method.

Post Scripts: Ismayl Syllakh (15-0, 12 KOs) ~ age 26 ~ showed both poise and discipline after scoring the knockdown ~ followed corner instructions to the letter in returning to stick, pop and move in lieu of going into the trenches with a gritty power puncher. Currently WBC #8 ranked l/heavy... He is worth the peek.

                       Yordanis Despaigne (8-1, 4 KOs) ~ age 31 ~  lengthy amateur career likely hampered his professional development. This one was his first test and he proved one dimensional. The frustration surfaced late in the fight when unable to lure the Ukraine into the proverbial trenches. Future more club fight crowd pleaser.

Welterweight table setter paired age 32 Ray Narh of Pittsburgh via Ghana with past featherweight champion Freddie Norwood turned senior citizen at age 41.

Toss in lefty Norwood vs orthodox Narh at 6’2” and what we get is no surprise -  sloppy albeit one-sided ten round sleeper. Official scorers had it unanimous  Narh 100-88, 100-88, 99-89. My unofficial had it Narh 100-88 (10-0  round by round).

Closing comments: Referee Dept: Main event man in charge Max Parker earned a curtain call ~ never once played to the camera like most do today. Give the man a bonus. With the venue in Orlando, Florida,  prelim local hack without a clue Frank Santore, earned a day job working as Disney World clown.