Kotelnik retains WBA title against Maidana

In a bout billed as “The Champion Returns,” WBA heavyweight champion ‘in recess’ Ruslan “White Tyson” Chagaev (27-0-1, 20 KOs) won a six-round technical decision over previously unbeaten Carl Davis Drumond (26-1, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at the Stadthalle in Rostock, Germany. Southpaw Chagaev, coming off a series of health mishaps, was cut over the left eye by an unintentional headbutt in round three, which bled heavily from that point on. Referee Gustavo Padilla wanted to stop the bout at the beginning of round six but let it go one more round. At the end of six rounds, the bout was sent to the scorecards, which read 60-54, 58-56, 58-56. Next for Chagaev will be a showdown with WBA champion Nikolai Valuev, which must take place by June 26.

In a great fight as expected, WBA super lightweight champion Andreas Kotelnik (31-3-1, 13 KOs) impressively defended his world title by split decision over previously unbeaten mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana (25-1, 24 KOs). For the first three rounds, Maidana looked every bit as fearsome as his reputation as he relentlessly attacked the champion. Kotelnik adjusted and took command until Maidana unleashed a ferocious attack in round nine. Kotelnik again adjusted and took the tenth. Round eleven was very close. Both fighters landed bombs in a very exciting twelfth round. Scores were 115-113, 115-114 Kotelnik, 115-113 Maidana.

WBA #11 heavyweight Denis Boystov (24-0, 19 KOs) destroyed Israel “King Kong” Garcia (19-3, 11 KOs) in less than two rounds. Boystov explosively dropped Garcia in round two, and the bout was stopped moments later after Boystov’s brutal followup barrage. Time was 1:17.