Kirakosyan Crushes Johanneson In Four

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By James Slater at ringside: Tonight(July 13) at The Metrodome in
Barnsley, Carl `Ingemar’ Johanneson’s attempts at achieving `Ultimate
Revenge’ were brutally and swiftly smashed into oblivion by the fierce
punching Leva Kirakosyan.

The last time Carl, now, 26-3(18), and the man from Armenia met, the
Leeds fighter was stopped in one shocking round. He lasted a bit longer
tonight, primarily due to his incredible bravery, but the European
super-featherweight champion who improved his record to 26-4(17) was
still way too strong and powerful for the man from Leeds. It was indeed
a Friday the 13th that was unlucky for Carl Johanneson!

In the opening round Kirakosyan’s power was evident. Carl came out more
cautiously than usual and with a high guard. But Leva’s vaunted punch
power still got through, though. A hard left to the midsection in
particular seemed to hurt Carl. A good right uppercut to the chin also
stunned Johanneson. The very real possibility of the British champion
once again being KO’d by the visiting fighter was already being thought
of by those of us at ringside. Carl looked quite small in comparison
too. Round one to Leva.

In the second round the fight quickly turned into an absolute disaster
for the popular Leeds fighter. He was taking a number of hard shots,
some on the gloves, some not, before being made to hold on. Johanneson
did land sharp right to the head, bringing cheers from his fans, but
his punches looked to have little effect in comparison to Kirakosyan’s.
Then came serious trouble. A big left uppercut blasted flush onto
Carl’s chin and he was sent to the mat. Up at the count of eight, Carl
was undeniably saved by the bell, coming as it did a second of two
after rising from the canvas. A big round for the defending European
champ.

In the third round a right hand to the head sent Carl south for a
second knockdown. He was up quick but it looked all over for him, as he
was thrown across the ring on seriously unsteady legs. A brief respite
came as referee Robin Dolpierre gave Kirakosyan a warning for pushing.
The end was in sight, however, as everyone watching was only too aware.
Only Carl’s incredible fighting heart kept him in the fight until the
end of the round. Johanneson managed to throw a decent looking right
hand, but was soon forced back onto the ropes again. Then another big
right sent the brave Johanneson down for the third time in the fight.
Carl jumped up immediately, only to drop back down to one knee to take
the eight count. As he rose the bell once again rang at a fortuitous
time. A massive round for the man from Armenia.

In the fourth round f Kirakosyan landed some rightening left uppercuts
and once more only sheer courage kept Carl in the fight. But not for
much longer. The end came via a colossal right hand that landed flush
on Carl’s jaw, sending him down and out for the fourth and final time.
The brave 28 year old tried to regain his feet but it was no use. There
wasn’t even a count given. Carl was utterly destroyed by the final
right hand he’d taken. The end came after 1.50 of the round.

Alarmingly, Carl was given oxygen in the corner in which he’d been
hammered to the canvas. Thankfully, after a couple of minutes or so, it
was apparent that he was okay. The knockout he had suffered was
extremely devastating. Indeed, one has to wonder how Carl Johanneson
can come back from such a crushing setback.

The 33 old from Armenia looks like a fighter who will remain European
champion for some time yet.

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Featherweight Danny Wallace w rtd 3 Dwayne Hill
Middleweight Geard Ajetovic w rsf 3 Patrick J Maxwell
Featherweight Akaash Bhatia w rsf 5 Steve Gethin
Featherweight Rendall Munroe w ko 5 Dai Davies
Light Heavyweight Rod Anderton w pts 4 Carl Wild
Super Featherweight Gary Sykes w ko 2 Dennis Sirjatovs
Bantamweight Ross Burkinshaw w ko 3 Iordan Vasilev