By Alexey Sukachev

Several mid-sized but well-packed events have taken its place across Europe this past weekend, some of them being held in Eastern European countries. There were several minor title fights among them but the focus was also set at three members of locally well-known Baysangurov boxing family.

The fourth, and the best known of all the family, was, however, absent. Zaurbek Baysangurov, despite being just 32 years of age, haven’t been seen in the ring since April 2014. Zaurbek (29-1, 21 KOs) is a former WBO light middleweight champion with notable wins over top-rated contenders Lucas Konecny and Michel Soro. He was raised as a boxer by his uncle Uvais Baysangurov, and this time his younger brother Salambek and cousins Khasan and Khussein competed in various cities.

Lithuania

Al Siesta of Siesta Boxing and Jaroslavas Mackevicius of JM Promotions unified their efforts to produce a continentally meaningful night of action at the Loftas Club in Vilnius, Lithuania.

In the event’s most impressive performance, rising lightweight Isa Chaniev (11-1, 5 KOs) had dealt serious damage over twelve one-sided rounds to Belgian veteran fringe contender Jean-Pierre Bauwens (42-4-2, 24 KOs). Chaniev, 24, controlled every aspect of the fight and was very poised against much more experienced opponent. The Belgian was soft and weak on his punches, while the Ingush native threw every punch with conviction. Bauwens’ face had turned red to the end of the fight, and there was no doubt about the result: 120-108, 119-109, and 118-110 – for Chaniev, who acquired a vacant IBF I/C lightweight title in process. Bauwens has been beaten this hard for the first time in his career.

In a battle of two previously undefeated light heavyweight prospects, Swiss former kickboxing standout Yoann Kongolo (9-0, 4 KOs) scored a mildly controversial majority decision over Zaurbek Baysangurov’s younger brother Salambek (8-1, 4 KOs) in a fight for a vacant WBC International Silver title.

Salambek, 27, who was fighting just for the third time since his 6-year long hiatus, started aggressively, imposing his will onto well-travelled Kongolo. The Swiss fighter fired back successfully in mid rounds, specifically in round six, when he stalked Baysangurov from pillar to post and back forth. Nevertheless, Baysangurov restored his confidence and enjoyed a mighty finish of the bout almost dropping Kongolo in the final tenth round with hard right-handed punches. Scores were: 95-95, 96-94 and 96-94 – for Yoann Kongolo.

Local star Virgilijus Stapiulonis (29-5-1, 19 KOs), who was often held to controversial decisions while fighting abroad, was relatively lucky himself this time as he just barely got past former Russian national champion Pavel Mamontov (12-5-2, 1 KO) in a bid for a vacant, newly created IBF Baltic light middleweight title. Stapiulonis was more active but Mamontov, despite being negative and defensive, fought him on even terms throughout the fight, dealing his share of damage with well-laced counter punches. BoxingScene had it 95-95 – a draw. Official judges ruled it in favour of the Lithuanian: 96-94, 96-94, and 97-93.

In the TV-opener, local fighter Vaidas Maculiavicius (3-0, 2 KOs) went the distance for the first time, getting a hard-fought unanimous decision over Estonian Sergey Bannov (1-3-2) over four. Scores were: 40-36, 40-37 and 39-38 – for the Lithuanian. Referee was Daniel Van de Wiele.

Russia

BumBox Promotion, a new promotional outfit led by Uvais Baysangurov and based in Kiev, Ukraine, showcased the young breed of mostly Chechen boxing at a historic venue of Krilya Sovetov in Moscow, Russia.

In the main event, ex-WBO Youth welterweight champion Khussein Baysangurov (11-0, 9 KOs) scored arguably his biggest career win by stopping tough-as-nails Estonian Pavel Semjonov (20-7-2, 8 KOs) for the WBA continental light middleweight title over seven rounds.

Semjonov, who has never been stopped before, did his best to confront his younger foe but Baysangurov’s punches were simply harder and more numerous than those of Semjonov. With each fought round, Baysangurov did better work than his opponent did but Semjonov was durable and game enough to stay in business. However, the fight was unexpectedly stopped after seven completed rounds due to the decision of Semjonov’s corner and to a certain dismay of Semjonov himself.

Former WBO Youth light middleweight champion Khasan Baysangurov (14-0, 6 KOs), now fighting as a middleweight, scored a relatively easy stoppage over Bosnian guest Mirsad Cebo (12-2, 6 KOs). Cebo was competitive in the first two rounds, though the Kiev-based Chechen boxer was definitely better of the two. In the third, Baysangurov increased the tempo and clearly dominated his opponent. Cebo retired during the break between rounds three and four due to a severe injury of his right hand.

Light middleweight Shamil Galaev (4-0-1, 1 KO) dominated local trialhorse Roman Klemeshov (0-3) over six. Galaev did his best to stop the Russian but filed to do so in time, getting though a one-sided unanimous decision. BoxingScene had it 60-55 – for Galaev.

Upset artist Mark Chimidov (4-4-2, 1 KO), nicknamed “The Thunder”, proved his alias to be true with the second-round stoppage of previously undefeated Austria-based Chechen Chicho Amaev (19-1, 9 KOs). Amaev, 21, has never fought fighters of even mid-level caliber, tried to press Chimidov in the first but soon found himself under fire by the hard-nosed Kalmyk. Chimidov rocked his opponent in the second round, putting him down with a massive right hand.

Amaev got up but Chimidov cold-bloodedly pinned him to the ropes and landed a huge barrage of unanswered punches forcing a referee to halt the action.

19-year old rising talent Ramil Gadzhiev of Ukraine was on the brink of yet another stoppage win but was forced to go the six-round distance versus durable veteran Varazdat Chernikov (11-7, 5 KOs). Gadzhiev, whose record now is 5-1-1, 3 KOs, dropped his opponent twice in the third, once in the fourth and once with one minute left in the sixth round. All knockdown were scored by body punches. BoxingScene had it 60-50 – for Gadzhiev.

In the opener, debuting 17-year old light heavyweight Umar Tsomaev (1-0) was taught a painful lesson but got through it – according to judges – with a unanimous decision of Russia-based Cameroonian Daniel Negat (1-8). No scores were announced but BoxingScene had it 38-38 – a draw.

Spain

One former world champion promoted another one to a comeback win over yet another one at the adopted homeland of this trio, as former middleweight star and unified WBC/WBO champion (as well as 2010 Fighter of the year) Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez of Argentina staged a fight between ex-IBF super bantamweight champion and local star Kiko Martinez and once a well-respected WBA flyweight king Lorenzo Parra of Venezuela at Plaza del Toros in Benidorm.

Martinez, 31, dropped 39-year old Parra on a series of punches in round three and finished his job in the fourth. The Spaniard, who improved his record to 38-8-1, 28 KOs, is gunning for a shot at the EBU featherweight crown, which belongs to his fellow countryman Mark Vidal. Parra, a shell of a shadow of his former self, lost his ninth fight in a row, and lowered his record to 32-13-2, 19 KOs.

In the undercard, Eva Naranjo (10-0, 2 KOs) scored her second TKO win in a career by stopping debuting British import Danielle Jordan Hodges (0-1) in the third.

Finland

Quite possibly the largest card has been loaded at the Operastage in Olavinlinna, Finland, by well-known Finnish promoter Pekka Maki, a son of local legend Olli Maki, who represents Dominus Boxing Group in association with Markus Lammi from Caramelito Promotions.

In the main event, upset specialist Patrick Mendy from Reading, UK, by way of Gambia, stroke again. This time durable stylist Mendy (17-13-3, 1 KO) was able to get a disputed draw against local fighter Niklas Rasanen (14-1-1, 9 KOs) in a fight some witnesses say he clearly won. Scores were: 95-95, 97-96 (Rasanen) and 96-95 (Mendy). Mendy, 26, is a winner of 2010 middleweight Prizefighter series. He is best known for his upset wins over Sam Horton and Oscar Ahlin and a spirited draw versus future WBA interim middleweight titleholder Dmitry Chudinov in 2013.

Once the WIBA featherweight champion, Bosnian Irma Balihagic-Adler (16-9, 8 KOs) has now degraded to a level of casual opponent for bigger, more successful fighters. This time she was dominated by local star Eva Wahlstrom over eight one-sided rounds. Though Wahlstrom is a well-established WBC super featherweight champion with three title defenses, this bout was a non-title one. However, the Finnish star once again failed to get the job done inside the distance – her last stoppage win is dated back to September 2011. Scores were identical: 80-72 – for Wahlstrom, whose record is now 21-0-1, with 3 KOs.

Super featherweight Tuomo Eronen (19-4, 8 KOs) stopped Georgian import Giorgi Abuladze (9-2-1, 2 KOs) within three rounds. As usual for Georgian fighters, Abuladze’s record is perfect at his homeland, and his lone loss before – unsurprisingly via knockout – has taken its place in his lone voyage abroad, to Belgium. Abuladze, 20, was down in the third before the stoppage was issued at 0:36 of the same round.

Welterweight veteran Jussi Koivula (23-4-1, 9 KOs) scored his second win in a row – this time over Hungarian Pal Olah (7-10-1, 5 KOs), who was DQed for excessive rules violations at 2:46 of the third round.

Light heavyweight Sami Enbom (16-1, 9 KOs) continued his restoration after the lone loss of his pro career to Dominic Boesel this March by a knockout win over Czech import Stanislav Eschner (5-4-1, 4 KOs). Eschner was stopped in the fourth being down twice before the stoppage. Time was 1:16 at the time of stoppage.

Other results:

Antti Hietala (2-0-1, 1 KO) TKO 2 Robizon Omsarashvili (25-18-3, 11 KOs). The Georgian was down once in the first round, and twice in the second round

Jose Antonio Sanchez Romero (7-0-1, 4 KOs) UD 6 Tornike Torladze (11-16-1, 3 KOs). Scores: 59-56, 59-56, 58-56

Oscari Metz (4-0) UD 6 Temur Abuladze (7-3, 5 KOs). Scores: 60-55, 59-55, 58-56

Poland

Referee Robert Gortat had busy Saturday this week as he was not only a referee but also a sole judge of all four fights that took place in Kaluszyn under Marcin Piwek (Fight Events) promotion.

The main event saw another return of a familiar face – ex-EBU welterweight champion Rafal Jackiewicz. The veteran fighter improved his record to 49-17-2, 22 KOs, with a solid decision over fellow compatriot Sebastian “Crispy” Skrzypczynski (12-16-2, 5 KOs) over eight rounds. A sole score was 79-75 – for Jackiewicz, who broke his recent series of losses at the count of three.