Korobov Destroys Florentino

By Boxing News - 01/25/2009 - Comments

korobov1By Dave Lahr: Undefeated Russian middleweight Matt Korobov (3-0, 3 KOs) made short work of his opponent Roberto Florentino (3-4, 3 KOs), knocking him out in the 1st round on Saturday night at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. Korobov, 26, a World amateur middleweight champion in 2005 and 2007 for Russia and also a European champion in 2006, obliterated his over-matched opponent on Saturday night, taking Florentino, 27, out with a series of power shots as Roberto stood with his back to the ropes in the 1st round. Korobov finished him off with a left to the head that sent Florentino down with his head resting through the bottom rope.

For Korobov, it was his third consecutive victory since turning professional in 2008 and his second first round knockout in three fights.

The southpaw Korobov wasted little time in savagely attacking Florentino in the 1st round, blasting him with left hooks to the head and body and rights to the head. Florentino, 27, stayed on the move, scampering along the ropes to try and escape Korobov’s heavy shots. Florentino was trapped in the corner and nailed with double right hands from Korobov, who raked him from head to body with hooks.

Florentino then absorbed two left hooks and a right to the head before making his escape from the corner and continuing to move along the ropes to his left. Korobov was immediately on him, pounding him with right hooks to the head and left hands to the body.

A big left hook from Korobov snapped Florentino head around as the punch exploded on his jaw. Florentino moved away and was again trapped in the corner by Korobov and hit with two right hands to the head and a left to the body. Florentino looked like he wanted no part in throwing anything back at Korobov, and continued to move away from him on the ropes taking shots as he went.

A big left hand from Korobov staggered Florentino a short time later. Korobov then landed a right to the head followed by a big right to the midsection. He then finished him off with a left to the head that sent Florentino down on the canvas with his head resting on the bottom rope, facing the audience. Florentino immediately sprang to his feet and looked as if he could continue.

However, referee David Mendoza decided Florentino had taken too much punishment and stopped the bout at 2:28 of the 1st round. The stoppage was unpopular with the ringside crowd, who booed loudly as they wanted the fight to continue on a little while longer. There’s little doubt that Korobov would have finished him off in the next few moments if the fight had been allowed to continue, so it was best that the referee stop the fight when he did.

Korobov looks to be very impressive, showing a lot of power, speed and combinations. He looks formidable and could be a fighter that is soon a top level fighter in the middleweight division and a potential threat to champions Kelly Pavlik, Felix Sturm and Arthur Abraham.