Light heavyweight Ali Izmailov passed a tough test against Charles Foster on Friday in Verona, New York. Just enough.
According to CompuBox, Izmailov and Foster fought equally, even landing an equal number of punches (113). However, Izmailov landed at a higher speed, connected with more powerful hits and knocked Foster in the 5th round.
That’s the difference in a 10-round fight. The official score is 96-93 (six innings into four), 96-93 and 95-94.
Izmailov (11-0.8 KOs) thought he won convincingly but admitted that Foster’s tactics sometimes let him down..
“I didn’t even hear the scores,” he said. “I know it’s not near. I know I won. I don’t even think it’s even close.
He continued: “[I was] very disappointed by [Foster’s] hold. He doesn’t want to fight. That’s why he holds so much. He knows what will happen if he fights me.
Foster didn’t see it that way.
“I know I’m a light heavyweight,” he said. “After the kill, I adjusted and engaged him, and he didn’t know what to do. He can’t handle it.
“They built these guys into big monsters, but he didn’t hit as hard as they said. He hit hard, but nothing special. When I got to his body, everything changed.
was ranked 11th by the WBO when participating in the match. A win over Foster, the IBF’s 175-pound 15th, would push him up the list and possibly attract the attention of other sanctioning bodies.
Izmailov is a Russian living in Detroit.
