Abdullaev retains WBC Silver title

Russian Zaur Abdullaev (15-1, 9 KOs) defeated former world champion Venezuelan Jorge Linares (47-7, 29 KOs) by TKO in the twelfth round to retain his World Boxing Council Lightweight Silver title in a fight that was also an eliminatory, at the RCC Boxing Academy, in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Linares began by imposing the rhythm of the fight, keeping his rival away. His speed and concentration gave him the advantage in the initial rounds, however, as the fight progressed, everything evened and then leveled out.

Abdullaev drove him to the ropes, where defended himself and threw blows from unconventional angles.

The last round decided everything. Both went for broke, but Linares ended up running out of gas and Abdullaev took the opportunity to hurt and stop him in the final moments.