Astrolabio Drops Potapov Three Times En Route to a 6th Round KO Victory
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 18 Dec 2022
Rising Filipino bantamweight Vincent 'Asero' Astrolabio proved that his last victory against Cuban superstar Guillermo Ringodeaux was no fluke by fashioning out the most impressive win of his career knocking down highly regarded Russian Nikolai Potapov three times en route to a 6th round knockout victory at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) televised live on SHOWTIME in an event promoted by Premier Boxing Champions.
With the win Astrolabio won the WBO Intercontinental bantamweight title and the IBF bantamweight title eliminator. With Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue who hold the IBF title planning to move up in weight, Astrolabio could very well fight for the vacant IBF title in his next fight if the 'Monster' make good of his plans.
Astrolabio scored his first knockdown with a left counter in the very first round against Potapov who had never been knocked down before in his career before this fight. In the second round blood dripped from Potapov's right eyebrow courtesy of Astrolabio's heavy punches. It now appeared that the Filipino's powerful punches have begun to hurt the Russian. The fight went on with Potapov attacking with combinations and Astrolabio timed the Russian with heavy punches to the head and body.
In the fifth round Astrolabio dropped Potapov again with a left uppercut who slowed down and hurt the Russian at this point. At 1:20 of the sixth round, Astrolabio finally got Potapov's number with another knockdown from a flurry of punches. This time Potapov stayed down and refused to beat Referee Robert Hoyle's count.
It was a knockout victory that Astrolabio promised to his promoter Manny Pacquiao's 44th birthday anniversay on December 17 that he fulfilled. Astolabio's trainer Nonoy Neri was a mainstay with Pacquiao's training team
Astrolabio has now racked up six straight victories, five of them by stoppage and improved his record to 18-3-0, 13KOs. Potapov, who has a one and half year layoff, dropped to 23-3-1, 11KOS.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against World No 3 Puerto Rico, Split Doubleheader in Lima
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Jul 2026"Pipino" Cuevas: 50 Years as Mexico's Youngest World Champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Jul 2026IBA Secretary General & CEO, Chris Roberts OBE: Regulation is how IBA pave the way forward for Bare-Knuckle Boxing
Fri, 17 Jul 2026EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PACHECO VS. ALEEM IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA
Fri, 17 Jul 2026WBO Youth Champion Esteban Garson Signs Agreement with Tuto Zabala Jr.'s All Star Boxing, Inc.
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Wheels and Waves 2026 at August 8 & 9 in Samal
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Jul 2026FM Rico Salimbagat leads IIEE Chessmasters team in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Jul 2026MCGIRT: WE HAVEN’T SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF PACHECO’S TALENT
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Tickets Are Now on Sale & Special Guests Confirmed for 10th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend
Fri, 17 Jul 2026Puma Half Marathon kicks off July 19
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Jul 2026Asian Youth Chess in China
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Jul 2026NONSTOP ACTION ADDED TO ROACH VS. ZEPEDA WITH STACKED UNDERCARD
Thu, 16 Jul 2026Heavyweight Dainier Pero Looks to Continue His Climb Against Aleem Whitfield Live on ESPN
Thu, 16 Jul 2026Ryan Garcia Set to Defend World Title Against Conor Benn in Paramount+ Global Bout at T-Mobile Arena on September 12 over Mexican Independence Day Weekend
Thu, 16 Jul 2026Fight Result: Yuga Ozaki Stops Jerry Francisco in Tokyo
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 16 Jul 2026