By Jim Dower: #8 IBF, #9 WBC Ivan Redbkach (17-0, 13 KO’s) stayed unbeaten with a one-sided 10 round unanimous decision win on Friday night over the tough but limited 33-year-old Sergey Gulyakevich (41-3, 17 KO’s) at the Ameristar Casino, in Saint Charles, Missouri, USA. The final judges’ scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92.
Gulyakevich, 33, did precocious little to deserve to win any of the rounds, as he spent much of the time taking shots and holding to try and limit Redbach’s punch output. The clinching did help in slowing Redkach down, but it didn’t change the outcome of the fight. Redkach still ended up winning an easy 10 round decision.
Referee Steve Smoger gave Gulyakevich a stern warning in the 9th round that he’d take points off if he didn’t stop clinching, but he continued to clinch constantly until the fight was over.
Redkach dominated all of the rounds with his powerful left hands with him landing one left after another. He didn’t use his right hand nearly as much, and he seemed kind of one-dimensional with his attacks. However, his power was quite good and his 5’9 ½” size really helped him in the fight against the slightly taller 5’10”, because he was able to look Gulyakevich in the eye.
Overall, Redkach showed the type of power and punch output that would suggest that he can give anyone in the division problems right now, even Terence Crawford. Redkach has the ability to become a champion at lightweight if he can get a shot soon before he grows out of the division. He’s 28-years-old, and huge for the weight class. It’s difficult to picture him being able to stay at lightweight for long, because he’s going to need to move up to light welterweight due to his size.
***
Unbeaten lightweight contender Ryan Kielczweski (20-0, 4 KO’s) defeated Ramsey Luna (12-2, 4 KO’s) by an 8 round unanimous decision in a fight that was highly competitive from start to finish. Kielczweski didn’t show much in the way of power, but his work rate was high and was able to control the majority of the rounds on activity alone. The judges’ scores were 79-73, 79-74 and 78-74. Kielczweski, 24, is going to need to develop his power if he wants to make a mark in the division. He’ll have problems when he steps it up against better opposition that can punch better than him while throwing just as many punches.
***
Unbeaten bantamweight Stephon Young (10-0, 4 KO’s) stayed unbeaten with a 6 round unanimous decision win over 32-year-old Vincente Alfaro (6-4, 1 KO’s). The final judges scored were 59-54, 60-54 and 60-56. The fight was competitive, as Alfaro was able to land constantly in each round. But Young had the better power and was able to back Alfaro up much of the time.