Isaac Chilemba (24-2 10 KOs) cruised to an easy unanimous decision over Vasily Lepikhin (17-1 9 KOs) in a fight that was never really in doubt. For Chilemba’s trouble he collects the vacant NABF light heavyweight belt and a potential shot at the winner of the Kovalev-Pascal main event later in the evening.
Chilemba, the smaller yet more experienced fighter controlled the fight from the opening bell with activity and a busy jab while a largely inactive Lepikhin decided to wait to throw a perfect punch that would never come.
The fight was a lopsided affair that started off in Chilemba’s favor. As the fight wore on, the fight began to take a real physical toll on Lepikhin, By the halfway point, Lepikhin’s father and trainer began to question whether he wanted to be in there between rounds. He allowed his fighter to continue, even though it seemed like Lepikhin had no interest in being in there. For what it’s worth, Lepikhin never really ran and even came forward during large stretches, so maybe that was their reason for letting him continue.
By the 8th round in the ten round fight, HBO commentators Jim Lampley and Bernard Hopkins began questioning the point in letting the fight going on, and began questioning the motivation of Lepikhin’s corner allowing the fight to continue.
There would be no mercy from Lepikhin’s corner, as the fight would be allowed to go on through all ten rounds. Chilemba received the unanimous decision, the NABF light heavyweight belt and a possible shot at the winner of the evening’s main event fight between Sergey Kovalev and Jean Pascal.
