MACAU- The Mexican Russian Evgeny Gradovich retained his IBF featherweight world title by getting off the canvas in the 6th round to win a bruising twelve round battle against Alexander Miskirtchian of Belgium.
It was a back and forth struggle but Gradovich outworked his challenger in the later rounds after the surprise knockdown.
Scores – Judges Morley and Martinez had it 117-110,Judge Giampa 118-110.
Rex Tso of Hong Kong survived two knockdowns in the third round to win a hard fought ten round unanimous verdict against Ratchasak Kokietgym of Thailand.
Tso started well, showing good lateral movement and peppered the Thai with his left. In the third, Kokietgym caught the southpaw Tso with a left hook and dropped him near the ropes.
Tso got up and engaged Kokietgym at close quarters. The partisan crowd gasped when the Hong Kong native known as the ‘Wonder Kid’ was decked the second time with a quick right. Tso finished the round on his feet but fought the 4th with blood seeping from his nose and mouth.
Tso piled up the points with better and more accurate combinations. In the 8th, Tso battered the Thai with three punch volleys. Kokietgym managed to hang tough despite Tso’s efforts to finish him in the tenth.
The scores – Salven Lagumbay and Adam Heights – 97-91,Edward Ligas – 96-92. Tso retains his WBO Asia Pacific superflyweight title.
Kokietgym downs Tso.
Tso on the offensive against Kokietgym.
