By Ken Hissner: At the CSKA Sports complex, Almaty Kazakhstan, Saturday, over ESPN+ Askar Salikbayev (MTK Global Kazakhstan), in the Main Event Steven “The Quiet Man” Ward lost due to an accidental cut by a decision to Kamshybek Kunkabayev for the vacant WBA Gold World Cruiser title.
In the co-feature, Volodymyr Hordiienko lost by decision to Talgat Shayken for the vacant WBC Youth World Welter title.
In the Main Event Steven “The Quiet Man” Ward, 13-2 (4), 198 ½, of Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, UK, lost to WBO Asian Pacific champion Kamshybek Kunkabayev, 4-0 (3), #198 ¼, of Kyzylorda, KAZ, at 1:04 of the seventh due to accidental cut in a 12, for the vacant WBA Gold World Cruiser title.
In the second round, Ward landed a right on the chin of Kunkabayev in the final thirty seconds while the latter countered with a right. In the fifth round’s last-minute, Ward ducked into a Kunkabayev left to the body, dropping Ward to a knee for an 8-count. He managed to get through the round.
In the seventh round, an accidental elbow from Kunkabayev caused a nasty cut on the forehead of Ward, stopping the fight at 1:04.
Scores were 70-62 on all cards.
In the co-feature Volodymyr Hordiienko, 9-4 (4), #146 ¼, of Kiev, UKR, lost to Olympian southpaw Talgat Shayken, 7-0 (4), #146 ¼, of Koksetau, KAZ, over ten action rounds, for the vacant WBC Youth World Welter title.
In the first three rounds, southpaw Shayken (Shaiken on trunks) dominated. In the fourth round, Hordiienko landed a solid right cross on the chin of Shayken thirty seconds into the round on the chin of Shayken. In the final minute, both landed punches at the same time on the chin while Hordiienko held his own.
In the sixth and seventh rounds, the bout heated up with Hordiienko having an edge. In the ninth round, Shayken rocked Hordiienko with a lead left on the chin with a minute left in the round. In the tenth and final round, Shayken, after a minute into the round, rocked Hordiienko with a lead left on the chin. Again Shayken rocked Hordiienko halfway through the round. Each time Hordiienko came back well.
Scores were 100 to 90, with this writer 98-92.
Southpaw Ryan Wheeler, 16-2-1 (0), #128, of Frome, Somerset, UK, was stopped by WBO European Super Feather champ southpaw Sultan Zaurbek, 12-0 (8), #129 ½, of Shymkent, KAZ, at 1:38 of the sixth round of a 10.
In the third round, with a minute remaining, Zaurbek hurt Wheeler with a left on the chin. Due to a clash of heads in the final seconds, Zaurbek suffered a cut on the bridge of the nose.
In the fourth round, Zaurbek landed a right cross on the chin with thirty seconds remaining in the round, dropping Wheeler for an 8-count. In the final fifteen seconds again, a right from Zaurbek on the chin dropped Wheeler for another 8-count being saved by the bell.
In the fifth round, at the halfway point, an overhand left from Zaurbek on the chin hurt Wheeler, who got on the run for the remainder of the round. In the sixth round, at the halfway point, a left from Zaurbek on the chin of Wheeler knocked him into the ropes causing the referee to wisely call a halt.
Aldiyar Amanzholov, 2-1 (1), #129 ½, of Semey, KAZ, southpaw Bektas Kassenay, 7-1 (2), #129, of Almaty, KAZ, ten rounds, vacant PBC of KAZ National Super Feather title.
In the opening bout, Super Light Mukhammadsalim Abdumamatov, 7-5-2 (3), #139 ¼, of Buloqboshi, UZB, was stopped by Ray Seitzhanov, 9-0 (6), #139 ½, of Aktobe, KAZ, at 1:51 of the fourth round of an 8.
In the third round, Seitzhanov used an effective jab and hurt Abdumamatov with a body shot halfway through the round. In the fourth round, a chopping right from Seitzhanov on the chin and down went Abdumamatov halfway under the ropes causing the referee to wave it off.
Super Featherweight Pavel Malikov, 16-5-1 (6), #127 ¾, of Lyubertsy, RUS, lost by TD to Khurshid Tojibaev, 6-0 (3), #128 ½, of Dzhizak, UZB, after four rounds of a 10.
In the first round, Tojibaev hurt Malikov with a body shot halfway through the round. In the second round, a right from Malikov on the chin stunned Tojibaev in the final minute of the round. In the fourth round’s final half-minute, a left from Tojibaev caused a cut on the right eyelid of Malikov, causing referee Paul Tuzinde to halt the fight.
What should have been ruled a technical stoppage ended up going to the cards ruling an accidental clash of heads which never happened. Scores were 39-36 twice and 40-36 in favor of Tojibaev though the fourth round had 0:27 left on it. It was ruled a technical decision win for Tojibaev.