Taking to the Pro Box TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida, the Kazakh fighter Batyrzhan Jukembayev (23-1) put on a scarily methodical demolition of one-time fringe contender Ivan Redkach (24-7-1).
The calculating Soviet style was no match for the aging Ukrainian, who could only attempt to withstand the barrage of heavy-hitting body-blows coming his way. Redkach will prove to be an invaluable stepping stone for Jukembayev, who hammered him out of competition within five rounds.
After all, Redkach also boasts losses to some of the best fighters operating in-and-around the weight class; Regis Prograis (29-2), Danny Garcia (37-3) and Tevin Farmer (33-5-1) to name a few. However, with wins over the likes of Devon Alexander (27-8-1), the California resident is also no pushover.
The win now puts Jukembayev on the fringes of contenders within the packed 140lb division. With his dangerous and devious style, he will be seen as high-risk, low-reward amongst the upper echelons of the super lightweight division.
With pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford (40-0) watching on, it is only a matter of time before more eyes turn to the Shu-born fighter. So, what hypothetical match-ups could be made for the ‘Batyr’ moving forward?
Jamaine Ortiz
The 17-2-1 Massachusetts native would be a big name that would also provide an interesting match-up for the Soviet-grounded Jukembayev.
Having held honours at the North American level and having contended twice against the best-of-the-best in the form of Vasyl Lomachenko (18-3) and Teofimo Lopez (20-1), his profile would be an appealing one to bolster the resume of Jukembayev further.
As well as this, the marauding style of Jukembayev would be able to catch ‘The Technician’ and push the fight, which, given his performance against Lopez, may be a necessity.
Gustavo Lemos
The Argentinian Lemos (29-1) comes off a horrendous scorecard robbery against Matchroom USA prospect Richardson Hitchins (18-0). ‘El Electro’ is a fighter with power in abundance and the tools to harness it in the ring.
However, having only lost to Subriel Matias (20-1) before, Jukembayev is familiar with power-punchers and would be able to use his lateral movement to outpace the former IBF Latino Super Lightweight title holder.
Certainly would be an interesting fight for the new WBA Continental North American Super Lightweight title holder.
Richardson Hitchins
Following on, why not put him up against the illusive Hitchens?
After all, his last fight against Lemos inspired little confidence and the boxing world at large appears to have little faith in the progress of the Brooklyn-born boy.
With a slippery modus operandi and some signature wins on his resume, such as his victory over Jose Zepeda (37-5), the turn to fighting someone who has lost to Matias might inspire confidence in the New Yorker, who is next in line to take on the Puerto Rican; a bout he seems to have minimal confidence in taking.
Sergey Lipinets
Lipinets (18-3-1) last made an appearance on the previous Pro Box TV show, defeating Robbie Davies Jr (23-5) in a bloody and brutal war of attrition.
Perhaps, given that they are both associated with the Pro Box brand, and given that they both hail from Kazakhstan, this would be an interesting match-up to make; one that highlights the crossroads both men find themselves at.
Besides, it would provide Jukembayev with more experience against a sharp, analytical power-punching type in the form of the ‘Samurai’.
Dalton Smith
The impressive Sheffield fighter Dalton Smith (16-0) will be looking to make moves up the world stage, after stopping the formidable Jose Zepeda last time out.
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, as well as the boxing community at large, have confidence in the young ‘Thunder’, who combines heaps of amateur experience with a willingness to fight the best. And, given his demolition of most competition so far, a fighter with a bit more professional experience – and even more amateur experience – like Jukembayev would be fascinating to see play out.
Hypothetically, the bout would also have the WBC Silver belt that Dalton currently holds on the line, increasing the chances of the winner moving on to the highest peak of the division.
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