An extra belt at the waist.
Frenchman Arsen Goulamirian retained his WBA world light-heavyweight belt by beating Russian Aleksei Egorov on points on Saturday evening in Le Cannet (Alpes-Maritimes).
The decision of the three judges was unanimous in favor of Goulamirian (117-111 twice, 116-112), 35, who had not fought for almost three years.
His record is now 27 victories, including 18 before the limit.
Arsen Goulamirian retained his WBA world light-heavyweight belt by dominating the valiant Russian Aleksei Egorov in points, three years after his last fight! #GoulamirianEgorov 💥💪🥊
▶️ https://t.co/CkZmoLSw11 👊 pic.twitter.com /AZnuovS12y
– INFOSPORT+ (@infosportplus) November 19, 2022
The start of the fight had been dominated by Egorov, facing Goulamirian, tense after three years of waiting and postponements of his fights for all kinds of reasons.
He had arrived in the ring with a khaki cap.
There was no Russian anthem or flag but its official challenger was not booed by the Cannet public.
"After 3 years off, I was tense"
“It feels good, but I'm not happy, because after three years off, I was tense.
But the main thing is victory and I know what I have to work on, in the future, to find my level, ”rejoiced Goulamirian, the only Frenchman currently holding a world boxing belt.
The fight, watched by nearly 4,000 people in the hall of La Palestre, began to turn to its advantage from the sixth round, when one of his right hooks landed right in the face of the Russian, a little shaken.
But Egorov, 31, with a big amateur record and undefeated in the pros before this fight (eleven wins including seven before the limit), continued to resist as the pace increased, under the impetus of Goulamirian.
This one began to manage the last two occasions, the result being assured.
Egorov hadn't fought for a long time either.
His last fight, against the Czech Vasil Ducar, dated March 12, 2020 and he should have faced Goulamirian in December 2021 in Yekaterinburg, but the Frenchman had caught Covid-19 a few days before.