Brown’s unbeaten run ends at 12 with TKO

IT TOOK less than three minutes on Friday night for Jamaica’s leading heavyweight boxer, Ricardo ‘Big 12’ Brown, to lose his unbeaten record.

Going up against Russia-born Arslanbek Makhmudov (19-2) at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada, Brown at 12-0, lost by technical knockout (TKO) at 1 minute, 57 seconds into round one.

With both men having impressive knockout records, it was no surprise that the fight did not go the distance. Makhmudov had won 18 of his fights by knockout or TKO and Brown was 11 out of 12.

It was therefore full-scale action from the opening bell, as the Russian attacked immediately. In the exchanges at close range, Brown connected with some stiff jabs and hard overhand rights, while Makhmudov threw vicious punches to the body and head of his opponent.

A few stiff jabs from Brown pushed the Russian back on his heels briefly, but he came storming back with hooks to the body and overhand rights to the head. He hurt Brown with one of these punches, but Brown fired back with his own body blows. They clinched briefly and then started to throw bombs.

Makhmudov came out best in the exchanges and Brown hit the canvas after a right hook caught him flush on the side of this head. He got to his feet and referee Albert Padulo Jr gave him the mandatory eight count. When he realised that Brown was still not balanced, he then waved it off. Brown protested briefly but to no avail, and a jubilant Makhmudov raised his hands in victory, and was greeted with hugs and smiles by members of his team.

Brown’s trainer Dewith Frazer told The Gleaner after the fight that Brown was understandably disappointed at the loss and after a few days they would do an assessment and plan strategy as to the way forward.

“It was his first loss as a pro and the way he handles it will be important. I am sure that he will come back stronger and learn a lot from this encounter,” said Frazer.