The fight proved to be very even, with the two judges ruling 97-93 and one 95-95.
Ukraine’s undefeated WBO European featherweight champion Oleg "Malina" Malinovski won the WBO Inter-Continental belt by close split decision against Namibia’s African featherweight champion Nathaniel Kakololo.
The boxing card was organized by B1 Promotions in Kiev AKKO International event hall
Slick southpaw Malinovski started the fight inching forward hiding his intentions behind bobbing and weaving as well as landing some crisp, yet light jabs with both hands. However, as the fight was progressing, the African fellow showed hand speed and footwork often beyond the champions capacity to deal with flurries of punches, so Malinovski would break the distance in order to restart his pressure after his opponent would miss.
Both very skillful technically and game in the middle distance, the two fighters spent all ten rounds in very high pace, with the Namibian champion once and again forcing the Ukrainian champion to retreat despite his focus on offensive. Malinovski often was saved by his very disciplined fighting style and high hands.
Malinovski landed once and again some crisp body punches, but never enough to make the resilient and younger African fighter’s fade in the later rounds. The excited local crowd chanted "Malina-Malina," but the small African team was refreshing Nathaniel in the corner and he kept landing punches in respond to the Ukrainian’s pressure. The fight proved to be very even, with the two judges ruling 97-93 and one 95-95, for Malinovski winning via the split decision.
The Africans protested in the TV cameras, yet Malinovski’s (now 28-0) hand was raised and he received the belt cheered by the happy domestic funs crowd.
In another co-main event Ukraine’s heavyweight prospect Vlad Sirenko stopped slick French Newfel Ouatah after four knockdowns.