Boytsov Stops Connelly

Undefeated Russian heavyweight prospect Denis Boytsov (20-0, 18 KOs) obliterated his badly out of shape and overmatch American opponent Tommy Connelly (17011, 13 KOs) in the 1st round of a scheduled eight-round bout on Saturday night at the Burg-Waechter Castello, in Dusseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Boytsov, 21, a former amateur standout from Russia, had little trouble with Connelly, knocking him down three separate times in the 1st round before the referee Heinrich Muehmert moved in and halted the bout at 1:51 of the 1st round.

At the start of the bout, Connelly, 26, came out fast, landing a left-right combination followed by another right hand that got Boytsov’s immediate attention. Not to be out done, Boytsov landed a right hand of his own, then added several jabs to back Connelly up to the ropes. Once he had in position, Boytsov landed a hard 1-2 combination that dropped Connelly to the canvas. He immediately sprang to his feet and initiated a clinch as soon as the action was resumed, trying to buy some time to clear his head. However, Boytsov began pouring in huge combinations, hitting him at will with a volley of shots, ending with two lefts and two rights that knocked Connelly to the canvas for the second time in the round.

It was an impressive performance for Boytsov, although I think he needs to start stepping it up against better competition, as it appears to be time for him to stop fighting C-class fighters and move up a level. At 6′1″ 222 lbs, Boytsov needs to put a little more weight, perhaps another 10 pounds or so. I think he looks like a better prospect than than some of the other current Russian heavyweight champions Sultan Ibragimov and Ruslan Chagaev, but he still needs to work his way slowly into contention by fighting better fighters. His combinations and power will create big problems for the better heavyweights in the division, as he moves well and tends double and triple up on his hooks.