By: Sean Crose
Bantamweights Nikolai Potapov and Vincent Astrolabio go head-to-head in a scheduled twelve round at Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on Saturday. Their match was the opening match for Showtime’s final card of the year, which featured Michel Rivera and lightweight Frank Martin in the main event.
The opening half saw Potapov 23-2-1 slip, although Astrolabio 17-3 seemed to think he scored an early knock. However, the Filipino boxer got his wish later in the round, when he placed Potapov on the ring with a left kick. Suffice it to say, Potapov got up quickly. The second half ended, although Potapov suffered a cut above his right eye.
The third saw Potopov land effectively. However, towards the end of the round, it was Astrolabio who decided the tempo of the action. By the fourth round, it was clear that although Potopov was the slightly faster fighter, Astolabio was the stronger puncher. With that said, Potopov will wisely tie up his men when Astrolabio closes in. It was a tough fight to score goals.
That is, until Astrolabio dropped his man in the fifth round with a crisp headbutt that sent Potopov staggered backwards before falling to his knees. To his credit, Potopov got to his feet and continued to use his thrust to great effect. However, Atrolabio was very tough on his man in the sixth inning, and forced Potopov to lie on the field again. This time Potopov was counted out.
