Full Fight Video: Chagaev Outpoints Meehan; Liakhovich vs Quinn; Tajbert vs. Velazquez

With his best performance in years, former WBA heavyweight champion and currently #2 rated Ruslan Chagaev (26-1-1, 17 KOs) became the mandatory challenger of WBA champion David Haye, winning a twelve round unanimous decision over #1 rated Kali Meehan (35-4, 29 KOs). Chagaev simply outworked Meehan in a WBA eliminator Saturday night at the Stadthalle in Rostock, Germany. Scores were 118-110, 117-111, 117-112.

After a slow first round, Chagaev pressed the action and landed some good shots in round two. He also made some nifty defensive moves causing some big misses by Meehan..

Round four went clearly to Chagaev, who landed repeatedly with hard straight left hands. The taller Meehan adjusted and did well firing his jab when in the center of the ring, but Chagaev continued to land the big shots in the match. Meehan landed a good right hand in the seventh that seemed to hurt Chagaev, but the ex-champ was back in control in round eight. Down the stretch, trainer Stacy McKinley urged Meehan to let his hands go, but when he did Chagaev won the exchanges driving Meehan back. Both fighters threw big shots in the final round but in the end it was Chagaev’s night.

After the fight, Chagaev was asked when he’ll be ready to take on David Haye. “Immediately,” he answered.

First title defense for Vitali Tajbert!

WBC super featherweight champion Vitali Tajbert (20-1, 6 KOs) retained his world title via nine round technical decision over veteran Hector Velazquez (51-15-2, 35 KOs). Tajbert was cut in round one by an unintentional headbutt and the gash bled for the entire fight. In round nine it was ruled that the cut made it too dangerous for Tajbert to continue and the bout was sent to the scorecards where the champion prevailed 87-83, 88-82, 88-83.

Former WBO heavyweight world champion Siarhei Liakhovich (25-3, 16 KOs) knocked out Evans Quinn (18-4-1, 16 KOs) in round nine of a scheduled ten. WBO #12 light heavyweight Aleksy Kuziemski (19-1, 4 KOs) showed he’s still a factor in the 175lb division, defeating the previously unbeaten and highly regarded Igor Michalkin (11-1, 7 KOs) by ten round unanimous decision. Scores were 97-94, 98-92, 97-93. Two straight losses for once promising heavyweight prospect Sebastian Köber (19-2, 13 KOs).

Markus Tomala (7-2, 3 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Köber by scores of 58-56, 59-56, 58-56 to avenge a split decision loss to Köber last October.

2009 world amateur champion Jack Culcay (4-0, 3 KOs) destroyed Isak Tavares (15-9, 5 KOs) in a jr middleweight bout. The fight was stopped at 2:23 of the opening round. Culcay knocked down Tavares three times.

All-action flyweight sensation Pal Bedak (8-0, 5 KOs) scored a third round TKO over Pedro Cardenas (12-7, 7 KOs).

Results

WBA Eliminator Heavyweight (12 Rounds)
Ruslan Chagaev (UZB) vs. Kali Meehan (AUS)
W PTS; 118:110, 117:111, 117:112

Heavyweight (10 Rounds)
Siarhei Liakhovich (BLR) vs. Evans Quinn (NCA)
W KO; Rd. 9, 2’36

Light Heavyweight (10 Rounds)
Igor Michalkin (RUS) vs. Aleksy Kuziemski (POL)
L PTS; 97:94, 98:92, 97:93

Super Featherweight (12 Rounds)
Vitali Tajbert (GER) vs. Hector Velazquez (MEX)
W PTS; Rd. 9, 87:83, 88:82, 88:83

Super Welterweight (6 Rounds)
Jack Culcay (GER)vs. Isak Tavares (BRA)
W TKO; Rd. 1, 2’23

Flyweight (8 Rounds)
Pal Bedak (HUN) vs. Pedro Cardenas (CHI)
W TKO; Rd. 3, 2’33

Heavyweight (6 Rounds)
Sebastian Köber (GER) vs. Markus Tomala (GER)
L PTS; 56:58, 56:59, 56:58

Chagaev-Meehan Weigh-In

“Universum Champions Night” on May 22 at the StadtHalle Rostock (from 11:00 pm live ZDF). Chagaev tops Meehan at the scales – Tajbert and Velazquez make weight. There has been a pre fight brawl between the Don King fighters Liakhovich and Quinn!

WBA Eliminator Heavyweight (12 Rounds):
Ruslan Chagaev (231 lbs) vs. Kali Meehan (230 lbs).

WBC World Championship Super Featherweight (12 Rounds):
Vitali Tajbert (130 lbs) vs. Hector Velazquez (130 lbs)

International German Championship Light Heavyweight (10 Rounds):
Igor Michalkin (175 lbs) vs. Aleksy Kuziemski (175 lbs).

Heavyweight (10 Rounds):
Sergei Liakhovich (230 lbs) vs. Evans Quinn (220)

Flyweight (8 Rounds):
Pal Bedak (113 lbs) vs. Pedro Cardenas (114 lbs)

Super Welterweight (6 Rounds):
Jack Culcay (155 lbs) vs. Isak Tavares (155 lbs)

Heavyweight (6 Rounds):
Sebastian Köber (223 lbs) vs. Markus Tomala (225 lbs)