A boxing event in Russia saw a major upset as an undefeated world title contender and massive favorite was stopped in devastating fashion.
Ekaterinburg, Russia, was the backdrop for a huge upset last night as an undefeated Russian fighter with 15 wins was defeated brutally in the second round by underdog 17-2 challenger.
This marks the second big upset against a Russian fighter in the last week.
Khariton Agrba faceplants the canvas after KO from underdog challenger
15-0 Khariton Agrba, a 50-15 amateur and 15-0 professional, was ranked #2 by the WBA and #6 by the IBF, in a division that boasts talent such as Richardson Hitchins and Teofimo Lopez, as he headed into a match-up against 17-2 Ruben Nestor Neri Munoz.
Munoz had lost twice in 2023, once to an 11-1 opponent and then again to a 13-4 fighter.
The upset came in the second round, when, with one minute and 11 seconds left on the clock, a stunning left hook landing right on the button sent Agrba to the canvas face first.
The Russian favorite came toppling down before ultimately being counted out.
It seems now is the time of year for upsets, as a British card erupted as unbeaten prospect Eliot Elimasi was stopped by a journeyman recently.
Another Russian upset was caused by a British fighter this week
Earlier this week, 12-0 Olympic gold medallist and 53-3 amateur, Albert Batyrgaziev, faced Britain’s James ‘Jazza’ Dickens in Istanbul, Turkey.
Dickens was 35-5 as a pro going into the fight, but was ruled the underdog by many due to his mileage and Batyrgaziev’s stellar amateur pedigree.
Dickens, who was ducked by Ray Ford, paid no mind to any outside noise, though, as he executed his game plan to perfection, stopping the unbeaten Russian in round four for the IBA title and WBA interim title.