City Boxing’s Denis Grachev Stops Caminero

Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments

Light heavyweight Denis “The Pirate” Grachev (11-0-1, 7 KOs) picked up the WBC Inter-Continental belt via a third-round stoppage victory over Eddie “Thunder” Caminero (7-5, 7 KOs). Picking off his wild-swinging opponent with crisper, stronger shots, Grachev steadily increased his output going into the third round, dazing Caminero along the ropes. Referee Frank Gentile jumped in to stop the action at 1:29 of the round, much to the chagrin of Caminero and the vocal crowd.

Russian-born light heavyweight Denis “The Pirate” Grachev (11-0-1, 7 KOs) of San Diego plundered the vacant WBC Inter-Continental belt with his 3rd-round stoppage over Eddie “Thunder” Caminero (7-5, 7 KOs) of Lawrence, Massachusetts in the 10-round main event. Grachev, the 28-year old former two-time World Kickboxing champion, continues to win on the road– scoring successive prior victories against former unbeaten fighters Vladine Biosse in Connecticut and Haitian Azea Augustama in Miami.

Caminero, a Puerto Rican puncher who likens his style to former champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad, started the action with wide-swinging power shots to Grachev’s body. The taller Russian took these shots in stride, using superior balance and footwork to locate his range and score lead right hands upstairs. Caminero came out blasting in the second round, winging power shots that often left him off balance when Grachev stepped to his side. The two men exchanged thudding right hands but Grachev followed his up with three crisp left hooks to the head and body to give him the first two rounds on the scorecards.

The third round showcased an accelerated attack from Grachev, who started mixing in right uppercuts to his arsenal. Caminero felt these shots and started backing away for a reprieve. However, The “Pirate” gave no quarter and stepped on the gas with crushing right hands and a double jab, straight right-left hook-right cross combo to leave Caminero treading water along the ropes. Referee Frank Gentile jumped in to wave off the surging Russian’s assault, much to the vocal disdain of Caminero and most of the crowd. It seemed an academic point as the dazed Puerto Rican stopped returning fire and faced another half-round of punishment when Gentile stepped in at 1:29 in the third.

Grachev commented afterwards: “I was ready for knockout, but referee didn’t give me much time. He saved the guy.” Now that he holds a regional belt in the talent-laden light heavyweight division, Grachev predicts: “I’m going to the top, for world title.” Given his penchant for pounding out victories away from home, the trip should be fun to watch.

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