Boxing Results: Guido Vianello Stops Makhmudov In 8th

In a surprising outcome, heavyweight contender Guido Vianello (13-2-1, 11 KOs) used his superior speed to dominate Arslanbek Makhmudov (19-2, 18 KOs) by an eighth-round TKO at the 2:58 mark in the co-feature fight on Saturday night at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

Makhmudov, 6’6″, was too slow on his feet to get out of the way of the lightning-fast right-hand shots that the 2016 Italian Olympian Vianello was hitting him with during the contest.

Makhmudov’s left eye closed up after the third round. It was surprising how fast his eye closed because of swelling during the third, but by the time the round ended, it shut completely due to his failing to get out of the way of Vianello’s hard rights.

Makhmudov’s corner wanted him to keep the action close to limit the shots he was getting hit with on his right, but he didn’t do a great job. It turned the fight into a mauling affair, with Makhmudov rushing Vianello, grabbing and leaning on him in every round.

In the sixth, the referee penalized Makhmudov for hitting Vianello with a rabbit punch. Makhmudov was hurt by a right hand from Vianello in the seventh and seemingly knocked down, but the referee failed to call it.

At the start of the eighth, the ringside doctor stopped the fight at 2:58 of round eight.