Moscow, Russia – Father Time is nearing on former IBF/IBO light welterweight champion Eduard “Troya” Troyanovsky, although it hasn’t finally dropped him down for the count.
Young gun Valery Oganisyan couldn’t do that either, yet his efforts were sufficient enough to get a convincing unanimous decision over the veteran fighter in a scheduled ten-rounder.
Oganisyan, 25, was coming off a solid TKO win over another veteran boxer in Dmitry Mikhaylenko. Troyanovsky, even at 40, was dangerous as a one-punch kayo master, yet his last stoppage win was more than four year ago. In his latest outing, Troya barely decisioned seasoned journeyman Renald Garrido, a fighter with a negative professional record.
The Armenian’s dominance was well felt during the opening rounds. Oganisyan was faster, and his reflexes were sharper than those of the Eagle. Troyanovsky definitely lost some steam in his punches, as he was unable to rock or wobble his opponent – a rare occurrence during his prime.
Oganisyan didn’t press the action against… until the fourth, when he has suddenly found some extra groove. Troyanovsky was eating punches in bunches and was wilting under fire. The ex-champion showed strong recuperating abilities and will combined with character to survive the onslaught. Scores were: 40-36 across the boards after the fourth.
In the fifth, Oganisyan continued pounding, making a bloody mask out of Troya’s face. The latter was eating too much and it seemed at one point that he was ready to go. Troyanovsky showed experience and smartness to duck low and make himself a smaller target. He started to win the jab contest in the sixth and did just fine in the seventh. The eighth was even, and scores were: 79-73, 77-75 and 77-75 at that point.
Yet, the Armenian found more in the closing rounds. In the ninth he rocked Troyanovsky badly but was unable to secure a stoppage. Yet the finish was clearly his. Final scores – sadly – weren’t announced but 97-93 could be a good choice for a neutral observer. Oganisyan improves to 5-0, 3 KOs, and now with the previously vacant WBC CISBB Light welterweight title. Troyanovsky drops down to 29-3, 24 KOs.