Local boxing notebook | Dzambekov scores KO at Chumash event

Umar Dzambekov made a statement to the 175-pound division at the expense of Artem Brusov.

Dzambekov scored a knockout win in the second round on Oct. 3 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez. He remained unbeaten at 13-0 with nine knockouts. 

The compelling clash, on paper, between two hard-punching light heavyweights ended up being a showcase for Dzambekov, who demonstrated more superior boxing acumen that led him to be the more dominant fighter. 

After hurting Brusov in the opening round, the southpaw Dzambekov continued to initiate exchanges. Towards the end of the second round, a sweeping left to the chin dropped Brusov to the canvas and against the ropes. Referee Thomas Taylor waved the fight off at 2:59.

Tom Loeffler, who promotes Dzambekov, was impressed by the outcome.

“Umar Dzambekov, in his first main event, really had the performance of the night,” Loeffler told The Star. “He was fighting a game and durable Brusov. Both guys were in great shape. ... He stole the show with that kind of exclamation point in the main event.”

Prior to the win over Brusov, Dzambekov defeated former world title challenger Roamer Angulo by a close unanimous decision on June 21. The win over Angulo also took place in Santa Ynez.

The 27-year-old Dzambekov, who was an amateur standout growing up in Austria, currently resides in the Los Angeles area. He trains at the famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

Brusov, who is originally from Tambov, Florida, and now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, fell to 13-2, 12 KOs. 

In the co-feature, junior bantamweight Daniel Barrera of Eastvale defeated Mario Hernandez by unanimous decision. Scores were 80-72, 79-73, and 77-75 for Barrera, who improved to 10-1-1, 4 KOs. 

Hernandez, who resides in Santa Ana, fell to 13-7-1, 4 KOs. 

Featherweight Jonathan Vasquez of nearby Santa Maria improved to 2-0, 1 KO, scoring a first-round knockout win over Antonio Ferrel (0-2) of Santa Rosa.

Both Barrera and Vasquez are managed by Ray Chaparro, who owns Cafe Amri in Oxnard. 

Fringe junior welterweight Cain Sandoval of Sacramento scored a highlight-reel knockout win over Jino Rodrigo (13-6-2, 11 KOs) in the 10th round. Sandoval improved to 17-0, 15 KOs.

In junior featherweight action, Roxy Verduzco of Los Angeles defeated Mexicali’s Perla Lomeli (7-6, 1 KO) by decision. Scores were 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73 for Verduzco, who improved to 6-0, 1 KO.

“It was a great show (Friday),” said Loeffler. “A lot of great energy from the fans. (There were) great performances in the ring.”

Francisco A. Salazar covers boxing for The Star. He has also written for Ring Magazine and Boxingscene. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at FSalazarBoxing.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Local boxing notebook | Dzambekov scores KO at Chumash event