Ismayl Sillakh vs. Denis Grachev: Preview, Start Time, Live Streaming & Schedule

In a matchup of two unbeaten up-and-coming stars, Ukranian amateur champion Ismayl Sillakh will put his 17-0 record on the line against Denis Grachev, who holds an 11-0-1 resume. 

Sillakh not only has yet to lose in his professional career, but he has yet to be tested. Of his 17 career victories, 14 have come via knockout or TKO. Only three of his fights have gone the distance, with all of them ending in unanimous decisions for the 29-year-old. 

Grachev is no slouch either. He has seven career (T)KO victories in his young career. The only blemish on his resume so far is a draw against Ernesto Castaneda in December 2009. 

Where: Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX

When: Friday, April 27 at 9:00 p.m. EDT

Watch: ESPN 2

Live Streaming: ESPN3.com

Sillakh's Keys to Victory

Use dominating power and blazing speed to keep Grachev off-balance.

Sillakh is at his best when he is attacking opponents early. He has the stamina and smarts to keep a fight going into the later rounds if it has to, but he wants to come out fast and furious with hard shots to the head and body early. 

Grachev has a similar style, though his is not as advanced as Sillakh's. He is built more on raw skills at this point than strategy. 

As long as Sillakh can exploit that advantage early, his undefeated streak will be intact when this fight is over. 

Grachev's Keys to Victory

Go for the knockout early; don't try to take the fight into the later rounds. 

As mentioned before, Grachev is more freestyle fighter than pure boxer at this point. He has the power to get away with that right now, but if he wants to advance up the ladder, his style needs to evolve. 

Against Sillakh, he needs to come out swinging early with hard, precise strikes. I don't see him as having the stamina to keep up with Sillakh in this fight if it gets into Rounds 8-10, so he needs to take advantage of any opportunity he has early. 

What They Are Saying

Sillakh is making quite an impression in the United States. He said in an interview at the end of last year that he wanted to conquer the U.S. boxing scene because he understands that, to move to the top of the boxing world, he needs to make it over here. 

From Boxing Scene:

"

Everything is different here (in the United States). It's a different world--food, language, boxing. But I came to the States because it was the Mecca of boxing. Everything here is good--sparring partners, trainers. That's why I started my pro career here. 

"

So far, so good. And things are only looking up for the 27-year-old star. 

Prediction

Sillakh is a talented fighter who is going to keep moving up the light heavyweight ladder with an impressive showing on Friday night. 

Sillakh wins via sixth-round TKO

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