By Alexey Sukachev

Russian fight scene was fairly active this week, albeit with minor activities. Still three events took place at various venues across Russia with some local notables being notice in the ring.

Tambov, May 8

In the main event of a card, presented by Konstantin Popov, fan-friendly banger Valery Tretyakov (10-0, 4 KOs) engaged with his third Filipino opponent in a row and knocked out Jeffrey Francisco early (0:33) into the seventh round.

There were eight more fights in a show (which isn’t little for a regional event), with two familiar names getting stoppages. Artem Brusov improved to 7-0, 6 KOs, with the third-round stoppage of local Cameroonian Daniel Negat (1-6). Time was 1:13. And 18-year old light welterweight with a soccer name Pele Sadoyan (3-0-1, 2 KOs) forced Dilshodbek Komilov (0-2) to retire on his stool after four complete rounds. Komilov was down twice.

Vladikavkaz, May 11

Lightweight Soslan Tedeev was a star-in-the-making, as his handlers would suggest, with a record of 13-0. when he ran into a recent debutant Ivan Skrypachev (0-1 at the time) only to be stopped in five with several knockdowns in one of the biggest upsets of 2016 in Russia.

Tedeev, still 21 and with several sound wins (one – against Allan Tanada), continued to shake off his bitter setback and looked solid against well-travelled Georgian Kakhaber Avetisyan. Avetisyan was down in the sixth and final round en route to his defeat via unanimous decision (60-52 thrice). Tedeev improves to 15-1, 11 KOs, while Avetisyan is now 46-43-1, 28 KOs, and with wins over former world title challenger Andreas Evensen and 29-0 Gillaume Sallinge. Ural Boxing Promotions staged the event.

Other results:

Georgiy Tidzhiev (5-0, 2 KOs) SD 4 Artavazd Margaryan (2-13-2, 2 KOs). Scores: 40-36, 39-37, 38-39

Georgiy Popov (3-1, 1 KO) UD 4 Zamir Zekashev (2-10-3). Scores: 40-36, 40-36, 39-37

Kemerovo, May 11

Umar Kremlev, once a partner of notorious Russia promoter Vladimir Hryunov, is a relatively new player in Russian boxing, albeit he was long involved in the sport. Kremlev, who supports the Chudinov brothers and some other fighters, rules the Patriot Boxing Promotions, and he is adding more names to his team.

The soundest addition recently has been Misha Aloyan, a former amateur star and one of the most ambitious debutants lately. Aloyan, 28 and of Yazidi origin, is a two-time world (2011 and 2013), European (2010) and three-time Russian national champion in flyweight class. He is also a two-time Olympian, getting a bronze in London (2012) and silver in Rio (2016). His later success was marred with a doping charge, which ultimately cost him a medal. As an amateur Aloyan got wins over such notables as a two-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez, then-champions Rau’Shee Warren, Amnat Ruenroeng and Khalid Yafay, as well as Jeyvier Cintron, Andrew Selby, Nordine Ouabali.

Aloyan was first slated to take on TBRB #8 rated super flyweight Norberto Jimenez but ultimately went on to another opponent in Nicaraguan Yader Cardoza. The fight was scheduled for ten and turned into a boxing lesson from a much trickier and faster Russian. All three judges had it almost a sweep: 100-90, 100-90, and 99-91. Cardoza, who gave 18-0 Jamie Conlan all he could handle just two months ago, gets down to 22-12-1, 6 KOs, while Aloyan (1-0) gets his first pro title (WBA Asia) in a debut.

In what was a main event of the show, Andrey Sirotkin (12-0, 3 KOs) barely retained his unbeaten record in a bloody and close battle versus Dilmurod Satybaldiev (11-2, 2 KOs). Sirotkin worked mostly at the distance, suffered a deep cut in the twelfth and final round but managed to get the job done with a split decision: 116-112, 116-112, and 113-115. He is now WBA Asia super middleweight champion.