ALBERT Batyrgaziev stopped Jono Carroll in round nine of an exciting scrap last night at the IBA Colosseum in Serpukhov, Russia. Batyrgaziev won the WBA Interim super-featherweight title. Full WBA champion Lamont Roach Jr defended his belt barely two weeks ago in Washington.
Carroll started strongly in the all-southpaw affair and had the hometown favourite in trouble in the third round as Batyrgaziev wobbled around the ring, using the ropes for assistance. Carroll let the shots fly, and the right hook did the damage. Albert’s glove did appear to touch brush down during that difficult moment.
Batyrgaziev recovered well and his youthful attacks began to tell. Road warrior Carroll, 32, promised to give his all and he delivered once again. The Irishman’s eyes looked puffy, swelled and cut (on the right eye) when Batyrgaziev seriously turned up the pressure in round eight.
The onslaught continued into the ninth when Batyrgaziev hammered the body, sending Carroll to the canvas. Bent over, in pain, brave Carroll rose for more. Seconds later, with his trainer hovering, towel in hand. Carroll went down again and the referee called it off at 2-23 of round nine.
Batyrgaziev improved his professional record to 11-0 (8 KOs) and has shown himself to be a good value headliner with wins over Jezzrel Corrales and Ricardo Nunez. Now 26, Batyrgaziev won Olympic gold in 2021, defeating American Duke Ragan in the final.
Carroll, 24-3-1 (7 KOs), has forged a solid career for himself, right back to defeating fancied prospect Declan Geraghty in an all-Dublin grudge match. The journey led to a 2019 world title crack at Tevin Farmer and a career-best victory over Scott Quigg. This was his third career loss and the first time he had been stopped.
