By Ian S Palmer
Two undefeated heavyweights will be going at each other for 10 rounds or less at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York on Saturday February 23 when Vyacheslav Glazkov takes on Malik Scott. The bout will be broadcast across the nation on the NBC sports network. Glazkov’s last bout was also broadcast by the network and American fans were impressed with his skills and power as he disposed of Tor Hamer by a fourth-round stoppage in December.
The 28-year-old Glazkov hails from the Ukraine and won a bronze medal for his homeland at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He’s got an outstanding record of 14-0 with 10 Kos and is hoping to keep his streak intact against the veteran Scott of Philadelphia. Scott will enter the ring with an impressive record of 32-0 with 12 Kos.
The 6-foot-3 Glazkov, who now fights out of New Jersey, seems to be the better boxer at this stage of their careers as he’s got good foot movement, has fine boxing skills and is as tough as nails. Scott was also a fine amateur boxer and comes into the bout at 6-foot-4 and with an 84-inch reach. He’s got a good job and is a standup boxer. If he can use the jab and land some quick combinations he should give Glazkov something to think about.
Glazkov is a hard and accurate puncher though who likes to get inside if he has to, so Scott should try to keep him at distance with his long jab and use some movement. Scott basically wants to keep the contest a boxing match whereas Glazkov would rather slug it out if possible.
Glazkov turned pro back in 2009 and he’s fought most of his bouts in Russia and Ukraine against European opposition. He hasn’t really fought anybody of note, perhaps other than Hamer, and has only gone 10 rounds once in his career. Scott has more fights under his belt as he turned professional back in 2000. He’s fought several recognizable journeymen opponents to hardcore boxing fans, such as Jackie Beard, Louis Monaco, Otis Tisdale, David Bostice, Marcus McGee, Andrew Greeley, Charles Shufford, Sedreck Fields, Damian Norris, Arthur Cook, Raphael Butler, and Bowie Toupou.
Scott has quite a bit of experience, but he’s only gone 10 rounds twice, so this bout could come down to who’s in the best condition. His last fight was an eighth-round stoppage over Toupou in September. Scott has definitely learned a few tricks while fighting that who’s who list of boxers, but he doesn’t carry a lot of power with him, which he may need to keep Glazkov off of him.
This is actually a tough bout to predict since neither man has lost yet and they’re both quite durable. It’s quite possible that Scott could outbox the Ukrainian and just as possible that Glazkov stops him. Let’s split it down the middle and look for Glazkov to win the bout on points.
