SYDNEY, N.S. — The World Boxing Council International Silver Cruiserweight Championship is staying in Cape Breton.
Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki defended the championship belt with a technical knockout win over Vladimir Reznicek (9-3-2, 4KOs) during the Valentine’s Day Massacre card at Centre 200 on Friday.
The fight was stopped at 1:44 of the third-round by referee Hubert Earle as Reznicek received numerous punches to the head while on the ropes.
“I think he was one of my toughest opponents – it’s a toss-up between Vladimir and Khetag Pliev,” said Rozicki. “It was quite the battle while it lasted.”
Both Rozicki and Reznicek exchanged various punches in the opening round of the bout, which was scheduled for 10 rounds. Reznicek caught Rozicki with a left hook, which busted the nose of the Sydney Forks native.
The fighters continued to land heavy punches in the second round, bringing the reported crowd of 4,000 fans to their feet, both earning a standing ovation.
“It was almost like I woke up in the second round,” said Rozicki. “The first-round, I felt a little slow and a little rusty, but I’ve been off since September and I’m used to being an active fighter…. the second round he woke the bruiser up.”
In the third round, Rozicki went to work early, throwing some heavy shots and eventually knocked Reznicek down. Rozicki went right back to work shortly after, landing more punches, which led to the stoppage in the fight.
Following the stoppage, Rozicki followed Reznicek to his corner, making sure the 31-year-old was OK.
“I’m really glad the referee stopped it when he did,” said Rozicki. “I was genuinely concerned because I knew I hit him hard with everything that I had multiple times in a row, so I was concerned for his safety.”
The 24-year-old Rozicki (12-0-0, 12KOs) first captured the WBC International Silver Cruiserweight Championship last May when he defeated American Shawn Miller by technical knockout in Sydney.
Meanwhile, in the undercard, Georges River’s Josh Prince made his professional debut, but suffered a technical knockout loss at the hands of Adam Hazelton of Yarmouth, N.S. (2-0-0, 2KOs) in the super middleweight division.
The fight was stopped by the referee 56 seconds into the second-round after Prince (0-1-0, 0KOs) received multiple punches to the face while on the ropes.
Three Lions Promotions managing director Daniel Otter told the Cape Breton Post Prince was taken to hospital and is believed to have a mild concussion.
“I believe everyone knows Josh is doing good in his boxing career,” said Otter. “We’d be open to having the rematch between him and Adam Hazelton at our next event,”
In other action, in the co-main event, Jessie Wilcox on Hamilton, Ont., (15-0-2, 10KOs) remained undefeated with a unanimous decision victory over Luis Montelongo of Mexico (12-8-0, 3KOs) in an eight-round bout in the welterweight division.
Brandon Brewer of Richville, N.B., (24-1-1, 11KOs) won a split decision over Josue Castaneda Perez of Gomez Palacio, Mexico, (14-13-3, 4KOs) in eight-round fight in the middleweight division.
In women’s action, Carolyn Redmond of Kerwick, N.B., (3-0-0, 2KOs) picked up a technical knockout win over Karina Rodriguez of Mexico (3-2-1, 1KO) in a match which was scheduled for four rounds in the welterweight division. The fight was stopped at 1:22 of the fourth-round.
The opening fight of the night saw Dominic Babineau of Richibucto Village, N.B., (12-2-1, 9KOs) and Pedro Bernal of Mexico (5-1-2, 3KOs) going the six-round distance in the super featherweight division. The bout ended in a draw.
More coverage of the Valentine’s Day Massacre will be published in Tuesday’s print edition and online at capebretonpost.com.
Twitter: @CBPost_Jeremy
