LAS VEGAS, July 14 - Russia's Roman Karmazin battered Kassim Ouma repeatedly in capturing the IBF junior middleweight title in a major upset at the Orleans Casino Arena on Thursday.
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Karmazin, who has been ranked for several years, finally got his chance and took advantage of the left-handed Ouma's flaws in knocking down the African fighter twice en route to a unanimous decision.
"Ouma was really tough but he's no super star," said Karmazin (34-1, 22 KOs) of St. Petersburg, Russia. "My fight with Keith Holmes was tougher."
From the second round on Karmazin used his left hand to jab and measure the forward moving Ouma (21-2-1, 13 Kos) then let loose with right hands through the gloves that found their mark almost every time.
"He couldn't miss with the right hand counter," said Karmazin's trainer Freddie Roach. "He just had his number after the second round."
Ouma rallied in the middle rounds by crowding the Russian fighter, but an adjustment by Karmazin kept the African fighter at bay and unable to land the knockout punch he needed to get back into the fight.
"He kept reaching with his jab and Roman would land that right hand," Roach said. "Ouma didn't make any adjustments."
The judges scored the fight 118-108, 116-110, 117-109 for Karmazin. Ouma, who was recently signed by Golden Boy Promotions, was primed for a junior middleweight showdown with Winky Wright.
"I told everyone he's no super star," Karmazin said.
Several years back, Karmazin was set to fight Oscar De La Hoya, Ouma's new promoter, but the East L.A. fighter, who was then a welterweight, suffered a broken hand. Perhaps this was payback for Karmazin.
"I'll give Ouma a rematch if he wants it," he said.
The Ugandan fighter was taken to a local hospital for a medical check-up after complaining of a headache.
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It's good to be a member
Karmazin, who has been ranked for several years, finally got his chance and took advantage of the left-handed Ouma's flaws in knocking down the African fighter twice en route to a unanimous decision.
"Ouma was really tough but he's no super star," said Karmazin (34-1, 22 KOs) of St. Petersburg, Russia. "My fight with Keith Holmes was tougher."
From the second round on Karmazin used his left hand to jab and measure the forward moving Ouma (21-2-1, 13 Kos) then let loose with right hands through the gloves that found their mark almost every time.
"He couldn't miss with the right hand counter," said Karmazin's trainer Freddie Roach. "He just had his number after the second round."
Ouma rallied in the middle rounds by crowding the Russian fighter, but an adjustment by Karmazin kept the African fighter at bay and unable to land the knockout punch he needed to get back into the fight.
"He kept reaching with his jab and Roman would land that right hand," Roach said. "Ouma didn't make any adjustments."
The judges scored the fight 118-108, 116-110, 117-109 for Karmazin. Ouma, who was recently signed by Golden Boy Promotions, was primed for a junior middleweight showdown with Winky Wright.
"I told everyone he's no super star," Karmazin said.
Several years back, Karmazin was set to fight Oscar De La Hoya, Ouma's new promoter, but the East L.A. fighter, who was then a welterweight, suffered a broken hand. Perhaps this was payback for Karmazin.
"I'll give Ouma a rematch if he wants it," he said.
The Ugandan fighter was taken to a local hospital for a medical check-up after complaining of a headache.