Leo Atang Goes Six Rounds For First Time In Win Over Chvarkou

Unbeaten heavyweight prospect goes the distance for first time in Liverpool win

Leo Atang went six rounds for the first time in his career, outpointing Viktar Chvarkou in Liverpool. The unbeaten heavyweight won 59-54 after the veteran lasted the distance.

Atang learned a different kind of lesson on Saturday night, going the full six rounds for the first time in his young career as he outpointed durable veteran Viktar Chvarkou at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. The 19-year-old heavyweight prospect entered the bout with five straight stoppage wins, but this time had to settle for a 59-54 victory on referee Steve Gray’s card after Chvarkou refused to break.

Atang (6-0, 5 KOs) controlled the fight from the opening bell with a measured jab, steady pressure and the heavier punches. He looked calmer than in previous outings, picking his shots rather than rushing forward, and spent much of the early rounds trying to line up clean right hands against an opponent who came to survive.

Chvarkou (6-33, 3 KOs), a 40-year-old veteran, used all of his experience to frustrate the unbeaten prospect. He covered up well, rolled with shots and made Atang miss often enough to deny him the type of clean finish he had produced in earlier fights. Even when Atang landed solid punches, Chvarkou stayed composed and found ways to slow the pace.

There were moments when it looked as though the fight might end early, particularly when Atang hurt him with a right hand in the third round, but Chvarkou steadied himself and rode out the danger. Atang kept pressing, digging shots to the body and forcing the older man back, yet the breakthrough never came.

By the sixth round, Atang appeared to accept that rounds were the real value on this occasion. He continued to work behind his jab and thump away when openings appeared, while Chvarkou remained stubborn enough to hear the final bell.

It was not the quick knockout some expected, but it may prove more useful than another short night. Atang won clearly, and six rounds with a stubborn veteran can teach more than another easy stoppage.

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