Melkomian wins WBA International cruiserweight title
Ryszard Koczura
27.04 - In a battle of young undefeated prospects, Armenian Pavel Melkomian won vacant WBA International (also named EBA) cruiserweight title, scoring a technical decision at the beginning of round 5 over Poland's Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.
Melkomian started fast, landing quick jabs and two-punch combos, and opened a cut on Wlodarczyk's right eyebrow. Later in the first round he caught Wlodarczyk off balance and floored him with a left jab. Rounds 2 and 3 were competitive; the Germany-based Pavel landed more punches, but his right eye started to swell. At the end of the third round, Wlodarczyk hit Melkomian with a rabbit punch that dazed Pavel, who was given a time to recover.
Round four was an action-packed thriller; Wlodarczyk started furiously, but Melkomian restrained his assault and answered well with some good punches of his own. Between the rounds the already swollen Melkomian's eye started to blood heavily, and the referee stopped the bout after doctor's advice, and ruled. that there was an accidental clash of heads between the challengers by the end of round four.
According to the WBA regulations, the fight went to the scorecards, which read 49-47 (twice) and 49-46 for Pavel Melkomian (now 14-0, 6 KO's). The referee's decision, however, brings some controversy, as there was no blood on Melkomian's face at the end of the 4th round.
