Ten days after the initial roll out, Russian pugilism was highlighted for the second time – again in Moscow but this time in a different setup although coping with an entire set of government COVID-based recommendations. The other trailblazer was Zyaki Yunisov and his YUKA Promotions, who staged a multi-fight, tournament-format event at the Vegas City Hall on Thursday, June 25.

The star of the night was heavyweight Arslan Yallyev (9-0, 5 KOs). Yallyev, 23, pounded out a convincing eight-round unanimous decision over smaller but very durable Belarussian opponent Yuri Bykhovtsev, well-known for his upset abilities. Scores were: 78-75 and 79-73 (twice). Ex-cruiserweight Bykhovtsev, 33, once again made it to the final bell but dropped down to 10-19-3, 5 KOs. He was stopped thrice in his career.

In the only other non-tournament fight, 20-year old Cuban expatriate Yoenis Tellez Silega (1-0, 1 KOs) debuted with the second-round blowout of Nikita Borisenkov (also a debutant).

The centerpiece of the night was however a Prizefighter-like eight-boxer four-round playoff between eight novice heavyweights.  Vitaliy Kudukhov, a former amateur standout, went out as the star of the night with three consecutive wins, two of them, coming by the way of knockout, including both semifinal and final.

Results were:

Quarterfinals

• Vitaliy Kudukhov (1-0) UD 4 German Skobenko (5-6-2, 2 KOs). Scores: 39-37, 39-36, 39-36

• Kureysh Sagov (4-0, 2 KOs) UD 4 Alexander Klychkov (0-1). Scores: 40-36 (x2), 39-37

• Vladimir Markelov (2-0, 1 KO) UD 4 Sergey Gubarev (0-1). Scores: 40-36 (x2), 39-37

• Bogdan Grevtsov (1-0, 1 KO) TKO 3 Dmitry Levashev (3-1, 2 KOs). Time: 2:58.

Semifinals

• Vitaliy Kudukhov (2-0, 1 KO) TKO 2 Kureysh Sagov (4-1, 2 KOs). Time: 0:28

• Vladimir Markelov (3-0, 1 KO) UD 4 Bogdan Grevtsov (1-1, 1 KO). Scores: 40-36 (x2), 39-37

Final

• Vitaliy Kudukhov (3-0, 2 KOs) TKO 1 Vladimir Markelov (3-1, 1 KO). Time: 2:05.