Zhan Kossobutskiy, tagged as the heavyweight version of Gennadiy Golovkin, suffered a shock defeat on his United States debut.
Facing Nigerian contender Efe Ajagba, who had a loss to his name, Kossobutskiy was a clear pre-fight favorite.
However, Ajagba planned on using his reach and height advantages to take Kossobutskiy to deep waters in the co-feature for Jared Anderson.
It was hoped that Anderson would face Kossobutskiy next after visa problems scuppered a planned bout earlier in the summer.
Heavyweight GGG loses
But several low blows from the Kazakh-born southpaw forced referee Chris Flores to disqualify him in the fourth round.
Ajagba was coming off two victories after suffering his first loss in 2021 and worked off a piston-like jab. Kossobutskiy tried to cut the distance by leaning forward with a high guard, throwing occasional arm punches.
In the second round, Ajagba himself landed a low blow before hurting Kossobutskiy with a shot to the chin.
However, Kossobutskiy returned the favor. Losing his head, the European issued several low blows in the third round and was deducted two points.
Another low blow in the fourth round forced the referee to end matters for good.
It could take some time for Kossobutskiy to compute how his promising US adventure turned into a nightmare.
He was lined up for some huge bouts by promoter Bob Arum and was tipped as a future heavyweight champion.
Results
Further results at featherweight and heavyweight saw undefeated Brooklyn native Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington score a one-sided points victory against Mexico’s Angel Antonio Contreras after eight rounds of action.
Carrington controlled outside and at close range. He used his high guard to catch and shoot on the inside and worked off a stiff jab to the body.
After eight rounds, Carrington scored 80-72 and 79-73 twice.
Tulsa-born heavyweight standout Jeremiah Milton moved to 11-0 as a professional. Milton dominated Craig Lewis en route to an eight-round unanimous decision win.
Milton nearly stopped Lewis in the opening round. He used his high guard to set up combinations that sent Lewis reeling from pillar to post.
Lewis, however, stayed upright to the final bell. Furthermore, Milton won 80-72 and 79-72 twice with the judges.
