By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda

More aggressive Kiryl Relikh (23-2, 19 KOs), 140, Belarus, kept his WBA super-lightweight belt as he defeated former titlist Eduard Troyanovsky (27-2, 24 KOs), Russia, 139.25, by a unanimous decision over twelve monotonous rounds on Sunday in Yokohama, Japan. It was for the season 2 of World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) in the 140-pound division.

The following judges identically tallied 115-113 for the defending champ Relikh: Luigi Boscarelli (Italy), Gustavo Jarquin (Nicaragua), Pawel Kardyni (Poland). The referee was Guillermo Perez (Panama).

The bearded Relikh kept taking the initiative, stalking the defensive Russian all the way. Troyanovsky, who looked like a handsome businessman, seemed to have failed to bring his fighting spirit from Russia, but he at last started his engine down the stretch.

For Relikh, it was his first defense since he acquired the vacant WBA belt by avenging his previous loss with a unanimous nod over Rances Barthelemy in their rematch this March. For Troyanovsky, it was his second attempt to win the world title after he forfeited the IBF belt via first round annihilation at the hand of Julius Indongo in December 2016. Since then, the Russian hard-puncher scored a couple of wins within the distance to move up atop in the WBA ratings.

Should Troyanovsky, 38, gain the belt again, he would have been the oldest world champ in the 140-pound category, but his dream didn’t come true.

The semi-crouching champ Relikh, 28, was an aggressor from the outset, as he tried to land solid left hooks to the Russian upright stylist, who paid more attention to his own defense rather than his attack. The Belarusian almost caught the Russian with a flurry of punches and had him at bay in round five. But Troyanovsky’s flexible body movement and his swift footwork barely saved himself from a crisis.

The second half witnessed Relikh, still an aggressor, hardly catch up with the elusive Russian, who occasionally fought back with jabs and sporadic rights without precision. To our eyes Relikh was comfortably winning on points.

Probably aware of his being behind on points, Troyanovsky, in the final session, desperately came out fighting, but his attack wasn’t enough to overcome his early deficits on points—if winning back a single point.

As the officials tallies of all 115-113 were announced, there happened some arguments at the press box since we had thought Relikh leading by a wider margin in the end. Reviewing the scoresheet, the judges unanimously gave Troyanovsky a point only in the sixth and twelfth. The rounds that a couple of judges (not all) agreed to the Russian’s point were the eighth, tenth and eleventh.

It might show that although Relikh was a victor, apparently, he became slowing down and Troyanovsky scored some points in the championship rounds.

The still champ Kyril said, “I was too anxious to finish him by a knockout. It was a reason to have him last the distance. But I was amazed at his durability.”

The loser Eduardo said, “It is the first time that I fought twelve full rounds (since he won and lost by KO in his previous world title bouts). I’m satisfied with my performance though I lost.”

Promoter: Ohashi Promotions in association with Teiken Promotions.
WBA supervisor: George Martinez (Canada)