(Photo Credits: Rich Graessle/Main Events) Bethlehem, PA: “Czar” Glazkov did what only two out of 51 men before him managed to do – defeat veteran brawler Tomasz “Goral” Adamek. In a twelve round unanimous decision the 29 year-old Olympic Bronze Medalist from Lugansk, Ukraine (17-0-1, 11 KOs) remains undefeated as he upsets the 37 year-old veteran from Gilowice, Poland, Tomasz “Goral” Adamek (49-3-0, 29 KOs) to win the NABF North American Heavyweight Title and secure the #2 position in the IBF.
Two judges scored the bout 117-111 and one judge scored the bout 116-110. Glazkov landed an amazing 37% (212 of 580) of his shots on the veteran Adamek, who landed only 21% (161 of 761). Czar said, “I would like to thank Main Events and Kathy Duva for giving me this opportunity and taking me to this road. I also want to thank Tomasz Adamek for taking this bout and giving me this opportunity. He was risking more than I did. Tomasz was not a guy who was backing up, he was coming forward. It was a very good bout.”
The standing room only crowd at Sands Resort Casino in Bethlehem, PA was battling to see who could scream louder for their hero with the “Adamek” chants only slightly overpowering the “Glazkov” cheers. Glazkov controlled the first round with his jab and did not let Adamek do much. Glazkov was landing some big shots. Adamek started to gain momentum in the third but then his right eye started to swell in the fourth. Things started to slow down in the sixth round. Then Glazkov landed some heavy shots in the seventh; Adamek did too but he was not as effective. Adamek’s face looked significantly worse as the fight wore on, but he still managed to land some key shots. According to Compubox, in the last two rounds Adamek out-landed Glazkov 55-38 in total punches and 32-22 in power punches, though it was not enough to overcome Glazkov.
Main Events’ CEO Kathy Duva said, “This is a passing of the torch. Glazkov did everything he absolutely had to do to win this fight against a very tough and very accomplished opponent. Tonight he announced his arrival to everyone that he belongs among the top five heavyweights. Adamek is someone who has been a top ten heavyweight for the last six to ten years. I am really at a loss to say who amazed me more.”
Grachev vs. Chilemba
The international show on NBCSN Fight Night began with a ten round light heavyweight war between #2 Isaac “Golden Boy” Chilemba (22-2-2, 9 KOs) of Johannesburg, South Africa and #7 Denis “The Pirate/Drago’s Son” Grachev (13-3-1, 8 KOs) of Chaykoysky, Russia. Chilemba dominated over Grachev and won via unanimous decision. Two judges scored the fight 99-91 and one scored the fight 100-90 all in favor of Chilemba. According to Compubox, Chilemba averaged 13 jabs connected per round, which is more than double the division average. Chilemba landed an astounding 42% (326 of 772) of his punches compared to 18% (108 of 587) for Grachev. Chilemba said, “I am feeling good, it was great. I knew he was going to be tough but I was pleased with the outcome.”
The first round started slow as both guys were feeling each other out. Grachev was really coming forward, but Chilemba was able to keep the distance, utilizing his jab. There were a lot of great exchanges with both men landing big shots. Chilemba was controlling the fight, however, with his jab. Grachev got a bad cut by the corner of his left eye that continued to bleed for the duration of the fight. Both men looked battered at the end of this exciting brawl.
Cruz vs. Cintron
The much-anticipated ten round welterweight fight for local bragging rights between Ronald Cruz (20-3-0, 15 KOs) of Bethlehem, PA and Kermit Cintron (35-5-2, 28 KOs) of Reading, PA certainly had this sold-out crowd making noise. Cruz and Cintron did not disappoint their hometown crowd with a brutal battle that was almost too close to call. Despite having the majority of the crowd support, Cruz could not overcome Cintron. Cintron edged out Cruz for the unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout 96-94. Cruz’s connect rate was higher, landing 34% of his total punches thrown compared to 22% for Cintron, but both landed almost the same number of punches with Cintron connecting on 154 of 703 and Cruz connecting on 152 of 453.
McDowell vs. Dargan
In eight rounds of lightweight action between Karl “Dynamite” Dargan (14-0-0, 7 KOs) of Philadelphia, PA and Chazz “Magnificent” McDowell (6-4-1, 1 KO) of Hartford, CT, Dargan dominated the entire fight. McDowell had trouble making weight, initially weighing in at 144.5 lbs. but was able to get down to 142. Dargan won via unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the bout 80-72. Impressively, Dargan landed 23% (114 of 506) of his total punches while McDowell landed only 16% (36 of 226).
Williams vs. Rodriguez
The six round fight between light welterweights Jerome Rodriguez (6-0-2, 2 KOs) of Allentown, PA and Brandon Williams (3-0-0) Rochester, NY ended in a draw. The judges scored the fight 58-57 for Rodriguez, 55-59 for Williams and 57-57.
James vs. Rivas
The first bout was a four round welterweight match-up between Nathanial Rivas (2-0-0) of Berlin, NJ and Terrell “The Terminator” James (1-1-1) of Philadelphia, PA. Rivas had the crowd on his side. James only lasted 2:37 of the second round when the fight was stopped and Rivas was declared the winner by TKO.
Acevedo vs. Crespo
In the four round super bantamweight swing bout following the main event, Luis Acevedo of Bethlehem, PA made his professional debut against Josh Crespo (1-1-1, 1 KO) of New Haven, CT with a draw.
