BY The Sweet Science ON January 09, 2016

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Former IBF World Featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich (20-1-1) was in Spain this past Saturday night to face veteran Jesus Galicia (13-8-1) in a scheduled 10 round bout.  For Gradovich, it was his second fight back since losing his IBF Featherweight title to Lee Selby back in May, and he had a harder than expected time with Galicia, who fought toe to toe with Gradovich throughout the match.  In the end, the Russian Gradovich had his hand raised for a majority decision win.  Prior to the match, Gradovich appeared to be in the running to face Nonito Donaire for his WBO World Super Bantamweight title, but this showing against Galicia may not have helped his cause.  

Russian and Spanish promoters worked together to produce the four fight card that featured a lot of talent from Russia.  Of particular interest on the undercard was the debut of Super Welterweight Sergei Shigashev in a six round bout.  Shigashev started out strong against veteran Ivan Grnynuk (7-5-1) but faded in the fight, with many observers giving him no better than a draw.  Nevertheless, he made a successful debut to go (1-0).

In Light Heavyweight action, slugger Sergey Ekimov (13-0) pounded away at Cuba’s Carlos Mena, who was game but outclassed.  The official results for the show are listed below.

January 9th, 2016 – Centro Deportivo
Picanya, Spain

COMPLETE RESULTS:
(Feather –  MD 10@10) Yevgeny Gradovich defeats Jesus Galicia / 99-93, 96-94, 96-96
(Light Heavy – TKO, RD 8@10) Sergey Ekimov defeats Carlos Mena
(Welter – MD 8@8) Aslanbek Kozaev defeats Renald Garrido / 76-76, 77-76, 77-75
(Super Welter – MD 6@6) Sergei Shigashev defeats Ivan Grynyuk