By Tim Williams: IBF super flyweight champion Dimitri Kirilov 29-3-1 (9 KO’s) fought to a 12-round majority draw on Thursday night against challenger Cecilio Santos 22-8-3 (12 KO’s) at the Roseland Ballroom, in New York City, New York. Though only ranked #14 in the IBF super flyweight division, Santos gave as good as he got, matching Kirilov punch for punch during most of the bout. As usual, Kirilov was the busier fighter than his opponent, but most of the champion’s shots were the weak variety, and didn’t appear to impress the judges at ringside.
Santos was cut over his left eye in the 8th round, and took a lot of punishment in the final four rounds. Although both fighters continued to trade shots up until the 12th, it appeared that the champion Kirilov had done more than enough for him to keep his title. This is the third close fight in his last four fights for Kirilov, who won by a majority decision against Reynaldo Lopez in September 2005, and lost by a 12-round split decision to Luis Alberto Perez in May 2006.
