The first number of the WBC rating in the first heavy category, Alexei Papin, continues to strive for the top. So far, only the representative of the DR Congo, Ilunga Makabu, remains above the Russian, holding the championship belt. The same Makabu who inflicted the only defeat in his career on our boxer. But now the African can hardly feel safe. The Russian boxer, who is the main contender for the title, knocked out an unbeaten opponent in less than five minutes.

Now he has the right to demand revenge with the champion!

Stronger than a bloodsucker

Papin, in order to approach the revenge with Makabu, had to confirm his claims to the championship fight, having won another victory. On October 29, within the walls of the Gymnastics Palace of Irina Viner-Usmanova, the Russian was waiting for a fight with Damir Bello, a boxer not the most famous in wide circles, but with an impressive record. The asset of the 38-year-old Bosnian had 26 victories. In the 21st case, he won by knockout, but he himself never, under any circumstances, was inferior in the professional ring.

The statistics of the opponent did not frighten the Russian at all, on the contrary, Papin spoke with enthusiasm about the desire to spoil the beautiful numbers of the unbeaten guest from the Balkans. In addition, it was not a secret for Alexei that Bello had not entered the ring since 2019, and the forced downtime was associated with overcoming the disease. For 10 months Damir struggled with the consequences of a tick bite. He won this battle, but the Russian boxer turned out to be much more dangerous than the bloodsucker.

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Ring confirmed that Papin’s promises to ruin his opponent’s statistics were not empty. It took him less than five minutes for a confident victory. In the first round of early termination of the fight, nothing foreshadowed – the opponents scouted the situation, not trying to take excessive risks. Yes, and immediately after the first break, the fight seemed to be equal.

A good deuce from Alexei, a powerful right hook to the head of the Bosnian. Bello was not lost, on the contrary, he got angry and went on the attack. A measured confrontation could last all 10 rounds, but Papin shook his opponent with his left side and immediately rushed to finish off. The referee hurried to stop the fight, no matter how hard Damir tried to convince the judge that he was right, he could do nothing. His first loss in his career brought our boxer closer to the title fight. Makabu should seriously consider the prospects for revenge.