By Cliff Rold

In a steady but uninspired Heavyweight clash, 30-year old Ukrainian Vyacheslav Glazkov (20-0-1, 12 KO), 218 ½, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, won a questionable unanimous decision over 38-year old two-time former Cruiserweight titlist Steve Cunningham (28-7, 13 KO), 209 ½, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The loss ends a three-fight winning streak for Cunningham. The referee was Marlon Wright.

Cunningham controlled the first half of the fight, jabbing and outworking Glazkov. There was little drama or action to be observed but it was effective boxing.

Glazkov showed some life in round seven, getting closer and forcing some exchanges with the fight potentially slipping away. The action continued at a better clip in round eight, both men exchanging hooks just before the bell. Cunningham appeared to take his a little worse but didn’t look hurt.

Cunningham was rattled with a couple of right hands in round nine. Glazkov lost the mouthpiece on a hard right under the armpit and had some issues with his cup in the round. While Cunningham was still getting off the jab, Glazkov was staging what amounted to a rally with harder shots in exchanges. It didn’t look at the end like he’d done enough to win but the second half was close enough to cast some doubt on what the scores might be.

At 115-113 and 116-112 twice, Glazkov got the win.  It was hard to figure out where he might have won eight rounds, but Glazkov continues a charmed start that also includes another debatable draw against Malik Scott.

Glazkov entered the bout rated #2 by the IBF, #5 by the WBC, and #7 by the WBO and inches towards a potential shot at World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko.