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By: Peter Akinbo.
Kazahkstan boxer Zhan Kossobutskiy has accused WBC silver heavyweight champion Efe Ajagba of low blows during their fight on August 26 which the Nigerian won after Kossobutskiy was disqualified for excessive punches below the belt.
Kossobutskiy was deducted two points in round three and ultimately tossed by referee Chris Flores in round four in the contest which took place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Kazakhstan found a home for his right hand in the opening round versus an initially passive Ajagba but it didn’t take long for momentum to shift as the Nigerian repeatedly hurt Kossobutskiy to the body in an entertaining round two.
The 34-year-old Kazakhstani southpaw who made his U.S. debut twice turned away as if he was hit low and sought help from the referee but came back to land a right hand later in the round but Ajagba was riding high on confidence.
That changed in round three as Kossobutskiy landed two consecutive left uppercuts well below the border, which forced Ajagba to drop to his knees in pain.
That changed in round three as Kossobutskiy landed two consecutive left uppercuts well below the border, which forced Ajagba to drop to his knees in pain.
Time was called as Flores escorted Kossobutskiy around the ring to inform the judges to deduct one point from his overall score. A similar sequence occurred moments later, at which point Kossobutskiy was warned that he was on the verge of disqualification.
Kossobutskiy was clearly checked out at the start of the fourth round following a deliberate low blow forced Ajagba to the canvas, as Kossobutskiy strutted to a neutral corner well aware that he was on his way to the loss.
Kossobutskiy has now openly expressed regret writing, “I hereby would like to apologize to the WBC, the American Boxing Authorizes and whole boxing sport fans all over the world for my non-sporting behavior. I realize that I did not behave like a professional boxer and I took the wrong actions.”
He then went on to accuse Ajagba of low blows of his own.
“After receiving numerous low-blow-shots by my opponent, I got out of control, lost my professionalism and tried to do vigilantism.”
Meanwhile, Ajagba (18-1, 13KOs) has now picked up his third consecutive win after an October 2021 loss to Frank Sanchez in Las Vegas.
