Vincent Astrolabio defeats Potapov via knockout in eliminator, world title shot on the horizon

A world title shot is now within reach for Vincent Astrolabio following an impressive sixth-round knockout win over Nikolai Potapov in an IBF bantamweight title eliminator this Sunday (PH time) at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Nevada, USA.

Astrolabio, 25, sent Potapov to the canvas with a right straight in the opening minute of the fight but the referee ruled it a slip. Before the round ended, Astrolabio sent Potapov to the canvas anew with a counter left hook and was counted by the referee.

Astrolabio looked sharp in round two drawing blood on the top of Potapov's right eye before rocking the latter in round 4 with a clean left hook. The Filipino then followed up with a right uppercut in round 5 that reduced Potapova to a knee which was ruled a knockdown.

Astrolabio went for the kill in the following round that sent Potapov for another trip to the canvas after a barrage of punches. Down and unable to beat the count, Astrolabio won the contest via knockout at the 1:26 mark of round six, improving his record to 18-3 with 13 knockouts.

Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue currently holds all the belts at 118 pounds. Given his known intention to move up in weight, Astrolabio could very well fight for a vacant IBF world bantamweight title against another contender down the line.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News