By Ryan Burton

Stanyslav Skorokhod (9-0) began the 2015 Boxcino tournament as a relatively unknown fighter when he faced Michael Moore (13-1) Friday night in Connecticut. The entire tournament will be televised by ESPN.

The Ukrainian dominated the first big test of his career by taking control of the fight early against his more experienced opponent. Skorokhod floored Moore twice before the fight was stopped by the referee.

"I knew that I was going to win the fight.  I entered the tournament to make a statement and I had no choice but to do that!"

"I knew I was stronger than him and I wanted to make a statement with my power from the beginning of the fight which is what I did," Skorokhod explained.

Once the decorated amateur hurt Moore and had the fight under control, he began to waive his arms and showboat a little but. He said that is all part of the show and that he enjoys fighting in the United States. 

"I definitely wanted to put on a show," said Skorokhod. "I enjoy the fans in the US and how they support the fighters in the ring so I always want to make sure to give back to the fans and keep them happy. I definitely was having fun in there."

Skorokhod doesn't have much time to celebrate his victory with the semi finals of the tournament taking place on April 3rd in Southern California. He said that he will take a short break then get right back in the gym to get ready for his next opponent, John Thompson, who also advanced to the semi finals with an unanimous decision over Ricardo Pinell.

"I will take 5 days off and spend time with my close one's and I will be back in the gym within about a week," Skorokhod told BoxingScene.com.

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