The Sho-Box "new generation" Friday nite offering featured former Soviet
amateurs Almazbek Raiymkulov and Koba Gogoladze in a lightweight battle of
unbeatens.
Koba the southpaw, entered the ring at 17-0, 7 KO’s while Almazbek A.K.A. "Kid
Diamond" arrived with résumé of 19-0 with 11 by knockout - and over the opening
three stanzas it was the quicker moving Gogo taking batting practice on the slow
but bigger punching "Kid Diamond."
But then came candle four and a Diamond right hand scores on the sweet spot
after Gogo hung around to admire his work after scoring with a flurry. And with
that knockdown we suddenly have the beginning of a contest.
Stanza five Gogoladze is dropped a second time courtesy of a Raiymkulov left
hook … and the early candles of southpaw speed had slowed to danger levels.
Round six and the the ending … the finisher a solid right uppercut and following
flurry that drops Gogo who opts to call it a no-mas at 2:46 seconds of the
round.
Post Scripts: Raiymkulov (Kid Diamond) ~ age 28. Physically strong and willing
with decent power. But needs work on the technical end. Lightweight division too
loaded for serious contendership. Good club fight watch.
Koba Gogoladze ~ Late start after long Soviet amateur
career, and at age 32 is pretty much locked into the past in style. Think the
power shortage is a final straw that limits any thoughts of serious success.
Co-Feature had middleweights Kelly Pavlik ( 23-0, 20 KO’s) and Dorian
Beaupierre (12-2-2, 6 KO’s) in what shaped up on paper as a test for the 22 year
old Pavlik.
If that was the case, the tall at 6’2" Pavlik passed with flying colors as he
opened the show with a lead right hand that dropped Beaupierre in stanza one,
and then again in round two with a big right hand.
Beaupierre manages to beat the count but immediately again in trouble on the
ropes and it’s stopped at 2:35 seconds mark of the stanza.
Closing Comments: Kelly Pavlik ~ Impresses with power and good size advantage.
Showed good movement and quickness. How far he can go at a now age 22 is still
anyone’s guess. Beaupierre was the first step up in talent and had draws with
Daniel Edouard. Guess here is the ultimate test comes when Kelly is on receiving
end of serious incoming mail. Potential coupled with brain trust patience is a
must.
Dorian Beaupierre ~ The résumé hints that age
29 and short of clout translates to small club circuit. The middleweight
division is no play pen once stepping up in class.
