BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania – Atif Oberlton playfully proclaimed, in accordance with what was embroidered on his cape, that he was “right here to avoid wasting boxing” as he walked to the ring Friday evening.
That’s a a lot taller order than even this 6-foot-3 southpaw can deal with, however the gentle heavyweight prospect from Philadelphia preserved his excellent report at Wind Creek Occasion Middle. The 24-year-old Oberlton, a two-time nationwide Golden Gloves champion, went the space for simply the second time in eight skilled fights, however he hammered Artem Brusov’s physique at instances, dealt with the rugged Russian’s energy properly and received their televised eight-rounder by unanimous determination.
Oberlton beat Brusov on the scorecards of judges Dewey LaRosa (78-74), Anthony Lundy (78-74) and Steve Weisfeld (79-73).
Oberlton improved to 8-0 by successful a struggle Showtime televised as a part of its “ShoBox: The New Era” collection. Brusov, 31, misplaced for the primary time as an expert (12-1, 11 KOs).
By the later rounds, it was clear that the aggressive Brusov wanted a knockout to win.
Brusov pressed the motion throughout the seventh and eighth rounds, however Oberlton usually blocked or slipped his punches. Oberlton related with two left uppercuts within the eighth spherical that caught the group’s consideration.
A straight left by Oberlton knocked Brusov into the ropes with a minute remaining of their bout, however Brosov waved him ahead.
Oberlton labored off his jab for many of the sixth spherical, although he did snap Brusov’s head again with a straight left simply earlier than the 10-second warning sounded at ringside. Oberlton additionally defended himself properly within the sixth spherical, when he deflected lots of Brusov’s photographs together with his gloves.
Brusov caught Oberlton with a left hook as Oberlton backed up about 50 seconds into the fifth spherical. Brusov landed a straight proper later within the fifth spherical.
Oberlton landed a left hand and Brusov snuck in a proper throughout an change that occurred in the midst of the ring within the remaining minute of the fourth spherical.
Oberlton’s arduous lefts to Brusov’s physique affected Brusov within the opening minute of the third spherical. These punishing punches made Brusov cautious of exchanging with Oberlton for the rest of the third spherical.
Oberlton blasted Brusov with a proper uppercut simply earlier than the second spherical ended. A left-right mixture by Oberlton made Brusov transfer into the ropes barely a minute into the second spherical.
Brusov’s proper uppercut related about 45 seconds into the second spherical. Oberlton backed up Brusov with a tough jab early within the second spherical.
Brusov landed his straight proper a number of instances within the opening spherical, however Oberlton took these punches properly. Brusov suffered a minimize round his proper eye early within the first spherical, when their heads by accident clashed.
Keith Idec is a senior author/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He will be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.