By: Sean Crose
Bantamweights Nikolai Potapov and Vincent Astrolabio confronted off in a scheduled twelve rounder on the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on Saturday. Theirs was the opening battle of Showtime’s ultimate card of the 12 months, which featured light-weight Michel Rivera and Frank Martin in the principle occasion.
The opening spherical noticed the 23-2-1 Potapov go down from a slip, although the 17-3 Astrolabio appeared to suppose he had scored a knockdown early. The Filipino fighter received his want later within the spherical, nevertheless, when he put Potapov on the mat, courtesy of a left. Suffice to say, Potapov received to his ft shortly. The second spherical was shut, although Potapov acquired a reduce over his proper eye.
The third noticed Potopov land successfully. By the top of the spherical, nevertheless, it was Astrolabio who was dictating the tempo of the motion. By the fourth it was clear that, although Potopov was the marginally sooner fighter, Astolabio was the extra highly effective puncher. With that being stated, Potopov would properly tie his man up when Astrolabio would are available shut. It was a tough battle to attain.
That’s, it was till Astrolabio dropped his man within the fifth with a crunching uppercut that despatched Potopov stumbling backwards earlier than selecting his knee. To his credit score, Potopov received to his ft and went on to successfully make use of his jab. Nonetheless, Atrolabio went onerous at his man within the sixth, and despatched Potopov to the mat but once more. This time Potopov was counted out.