By Larry Snyder
Los Angeles, Calif. – Even as a relentless pandemic sweeps across the country, the warrior continues to prepare for battle: sometimes alone at home, sometimes in the gym when it reopens for awhile. Pittsburgh’s Lyubomyr Pinchuk (12-1-1, 7 KO’s) stands ready to step into the ring, Thursday, December 17, 2020, for eight rounds of heavyweight action against Stephan Shaw (13-0-0, 10 KO’s) from Saint Louis, Missouri.
This clash is part of the co-main event on Ring City USA’s Wild Card Boxing Club matchup and can be seen on the NBC Sports Network, starting at 9:00 p.m. EST. The four-part promotion team bringing it all together is Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment, Kathy Duva from Main Events, PR Sports Promotions’ Peter Rasmussen, and Steve Bash of Bash Boxing.
Michael McSorley, Jr. manages and trains the 6-foot-3 Pinchuk out of the Conn-Greb Boxing Club in the Steel City’s North Oakland section. His last competition was November 2019 when he won, by unanimous decision (79-73, 79-73, 78-74) the USA Pennsylvania State Cruiser title against Garrett Wilson (18-17-1, 9 KO’s) from Philadelphia. Veteran boxing reporter Samuel L. McKibben wrote, “Pinchuk displayed a much higher volume of punches thrown and more aggression. He flat out outboxed Wilson.”
The 24-year-old, known as the “Demolition Man,” said on his Facebook page, “I appreciate and am excited for this opportunity. After this fight, people are going to remember my name!” McSorley commented on boxingtalk.com, “Pinchuk is a throwback fighter who is a fearless and relentless terminator. He is a punishing counter puncher.” Seven of Lyubomyr’s 14 encounters have not gone the distance.
Shaw, 28, fought in December 2019 on the Terminal 5 card in New York City. He won by technical knockout in the third round over Gregory Corbin (15-4-0, 9 KO’s) from Dallas. Split-T Boxing founder David McWater manages Shaw. Nine of Stephan’s 13 contests have not gone the distance. The 6-foot-4 pugilist who is known as “Big Shot” told Thomas Cathey of esbrboxing.com, “I’m a guy that possesses heavy hands and power in each hand and behind each punch, but I can box as well. I have a high ring IQ, good timing, good power, good boxing ability & good footwork. I’m a true student of the game and I’ve been around boxing my entire life.”
My Prediction: Pinchuk takes Shaw the full eight rounds and claims a unanimous decision on the judge’s scorecards.
WILD CARD BOXING CLUB LINEUP:
Main Event: Charles Conwell (13-0-0, 10 KO’s) Vs. Madiyar Ashkeyev (14-0-0, 7 KO’s) Super Welterweight, 10 Rounds
Co-Main Event: Jelena Mrdjenovich (40-10-2, 19 KO’s) Vs. Iranda Paola Torres (12-4-1, 4 KO’s) Featherweight, 10 Rounds
Bantamweight: Narek Abgaryan (14-0-0, 6 KO’s) Vs. Eduardo Baez (17-1-2, 6 KO’s) Eight Rounds
Middleweight: Eric Priest (2-0-0, 2 KO’s) Vs. Angel Mendez (Debut) Four Rounds
UPDATE: Per Michael McSorley – Our fight got bumped off of the NBC Broadcast but it will be shown free live at starting at 7:30pm eastern time on this free link. Our fight should be on right at about 8:00 p.m.
CORNER NOTES: There is to be no live audience per the California State Athletic Commission. One bout still waiting for approval is a super lightweight meeting between Kelvin Davis and Michael Honesto. Both will be making their pro debut.
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