MINNEAPOLIS – Joey Spencer went the eight-round distance for the second time in three fights to earn his latest win.
Michigan’s Spencer soundly outboxed Ravshan Hudaynazarov to earn a clear-cut unanimous decision. Judges Tim Taggart Sr. (79-73), Kyle Shiely (80-72) and Ludy Webster (80-72) all ruled in favor of Spencer in their non-televised middleweight bout Saturday evening at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Spencer has grown accustomed to fighting on TV, frequently showcased on Fox Sports platforms. The thought of not fighting in front of a camera was not concerning to the unbeaten Michigan native, who boxed smartly against the hard-hitting Hudaynazarov. Spencer used a purposeful jab to work his way inside, hurting Hudaynazarov with a follow-up right hand early in the round and a left hook off the jab later in the frame.
Hudaynazarov turned the tide late in round two, figuring out a way around Spencer’s jab and taking the fight to the 22-year-old rising prospect. Hudaynazarov connected with an overhand right late in round two, catching Spencer’s attention with the same weapon in round three. Spencer exhibited poise under pressure, shaking off the blows and putting his counterpunching skills to use on the inside.
Spencer created space in round four, getting just enough leverage on a left hook to snap back the head of Hudaynazarov. Spencer drew oohs and ahhs from the already fllled out crowd after landing right hands and left hooks, with Hudaynazarov remaining upright but also forced to play defense during the momentum shift. Hudaynazarov attempted to return fire, with Spencer picking off most of a late flurry from the Las Vegas-based Uzbek.
Action slowed in the second half, with Spencer cognizant of Hudaynazarov’s power and opting to box his way to victory. Spencer used his jab and ring smarts to keep Hudaynazarov at the end of his jab, mixing in left hooks and body shots for good measure.
Spencer doubled up on his left hook to begin the eighth and final round, just enough to keep Hudaynazarov (19-5, 14KOs) honest before coasting to the finish line. Spencer moves to 15-0 (10KOs) with the win, going the distance for the second time in his past three fights.
Spencer- Hudaynazarov was part of a seven-fight preliminary undercard preceding a Showtime tripleheader. Headlining the show, Australian contender Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15KOs) makes his U.S. debut in a scheduled 12-round junior middleweight clash with 2012 U.S. Olympian and former title challenger Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11KOs).
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox