ESPN Friday night offerings arrived from good ol’ left coast Spokane, Washington at the Northern Quest Casino - main event a Jr. Middleweight affair showcasing Russian via Uzbekistan Sherzod Husanov, in with Colombian Jhon Berrio of 15-6, 11 KOs mediocrity. 

Opening two stanzas sees all going as scripted with the Russian displaying the quicker hands while advertising a touted right hand behind flurries and combinations - still, the younger and very game Berrio was not about to go quietly. 

Berrio grabs number three, a sprited stanza of hot exchanges - he then, on my unofficial, claims candles four and five by a whisker - and my scandal sheet has it Berrio up 48-47 in points. 

It would go the full scheduled ten rounds of good old fashioned club fight action with Husanov the stronger during the run to the wire -  had Berrio in trouble late in stanza eight courtesy of power right hand backed with a barrage at the bell. 

Official scores had it a majority decision win for Husanov 98-92, 96-94, 95-95 - my unofficial agreed Husanov 97-93 in points and 7-3 under the round by round method. 

Post Scripts: Sherzod Husanov (15-0-1, 7 KOs) - age 30 ~ enjoyed the height advantage at 5’11 to 5’8, coupled with the faster hands. Still, too aggressive and available target for counters. Future in need of technique upgrading. Good chin but suspect body to incoming once stepping up in quality. For now club fight talent that entertains.
                    Jhon Berrio (15-0-1, 7 KOs) - age 24 ~ no quit in this dog - kept trying -but lack of skills will be rest of the story if not adding a hard left jab to the now wild winging. Young enough to improve. 

* Both Husanov and Berrio were making their USA debut.
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Semi-final super middleweight mismatch scheduled for ten stanzas saw undefeated Samara, Russia Maxim Vlasov (17-0, 8 KO) in with Jerson Ravelo (Newark, NJ via Dominican Republic (20-4, 12 KOs). 

Veteran Ravelo took the gig on short notice when injured Ikeke Kingsley copped a plea - Ravelo gave it a shot during opening stanza  that was an action round. 

Round two is Vlasov enjoying a big stanza that would set up the finis in candle three - end arrived at 1:12 mark after Vlasov dropped his opponent that was started by power right hand to the head.   

Posr Scripts: Maxim Vlasov (18-0, 9 KOs) ~ age 23 at 6’ 3" ~ had himself an ideal showcase in short notice Ravelo who appears on wrong side of the slope. Jury out as to potential.
                    Jerson Ravelo (20-5, 12 KOs) -  age 32 at 6’ 2" -  tested the waters in opening stanza before looking for soft spot on the canvas. 

Referee report cards: Bobby Howard working the main event a complete fool  for loss of better description. Have to see this Barnum Bailey candidate to believe it. Prior to  pre-fight referee instructions, with ring announcer readying to do his thing, there’s “Bobby” in neutral corner doing deep knee bends, along with assorted stretching and loosening up. Then the opening bell and Bobby cruising about the ring much like Chief Sitting Bull at the battle of Lil Big Horn. 

                               Semi-final third man in charge Jeff Macaluso, another carnival clown in his own right, caught a break with Bobby Howard following.