Artur Beterbiev (12-0 12KOs) came in with heavy fan fare, but his defeat of #1 contender Enrico Knoelling to win the vacant IBF light heavyweight title vacated by the recently retired champion, Andre Ward in front of a packed house at the SaveMart Center in Fresno, CA, was not the triumpant and crowning moment many at press row had of hoped.

In a fight that started slow, Beterbiev pressed the action, but appeared to not be warmed whereas Knoelling awkward and evasive moment frustrated Beterbiev who was unable to land flush power shots. It was an odd performance for Beterbiev who had up until this point won every single of his fight by knockout.

The movement of Knoelling appeared to trouble Beterbiev, but was startling was Beterbiev’s stiff movement along with inability to adjust in the ring.

The fight seemingly didn’t have many memorable moments as the crowd spent large portions booing waiting for action to happen until the final round in which Beterbiev sent Knoelling to the canvas.

The fight ended in the 12th and final round, the official time came 2:33.

Artur Beterbiev is now the IBF light heavyweight champion.