By Dmytro Mossienko: Klitschko brothers promotional powerhouse K2 east ended 2011 with a lackluster boxing card at the Kyiv Sports Palace on Saturday, 17 December.
The long anticipated clash between WBO middleweight intercontinental champion Max Bursak and Laatekwei Hammond 18-6 (5), from Ghana, a rugged 31 year-old veteran, who twice challenged the Commonwealth belt, proved to be a short contest.
The African hardly intended to grab the belt in the Ukrainian’s backyard as he had stepped on the scales at 78.8kg (173.36lb). Given two hours for the mission impossible, Hammond ended up 75.8kg against Bursak’s 72.5kg. With all his boxing experience Hammond, 31, barely wanted to stick to the proper weight control strategies, which made the poor African looking like Winnie the Pooh in the ring with Bursak. With all the tasty Ukrainian foods and drinks consumed Hammond still showed some professional skill of moving and one-two jabbing, though was often frustrated by Bursak’s crisp punches and body motion.
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Hammond touched the canvas in round one from Bursak’s double left jab, then again, in round two. Doing his best to pay off the paycheck, brave African went into the close quarters exchanges, trying to bring the fight to Bursak. That proved to be Laatekwei’s final mistake. Bursak floored him, forcing referee Yury Koptsev to step in and stop the fight to save Laatewei from further punishment.
December 18, 2011
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