Ivan Zucco Survives Early Scare Defeating Nikolic, But Won’t Fight Friend Scardina
Ivan Zucco (16-0, 14KOs) overcame early adversity to keep his undefeated record intact by stopping solid veteran Marko Nikolic (28-2, 12KOs) in two rounds.
Nikolic has the more in-ring experience and was hoping that would be enough to derail the undefeated Italian. Furthermore, he is a road warrior that has traveled outside of his country, Serbia, to several different countries for fights. However, his first appearance in Italy ended in defeat.
Zucco is considered the goods. He is coming out of the country and ready to leave the domestic level to compete on the world level. In 2021, he beat undefeated Luca Capuano to capture the Italy Super middleweight title. He is hoping that winning the WBC International title will finally land him a spot in the rankings.
STATEMENT MADE
At the beginning of the fight, the pro-Zucco crowd held their breath as they were hit with a huge scare. Nikolic was unfazed by the noise of the Italian fans and used the jab as a range-finder. Zucco was the aggressor, coming forward and pinning Nikolic against the ropes, and unloading two powerful hooks to the body. However, Nikolic landed a perfect, compact right-uppercut that staggered Zucco, who had to grab the ropes to keep from going down. The bell sounded before Nikolic could follow-up with an attack.
Zucco charged out of the corner in the second round, like a man upset and embarrassed, and went on the attack. He used his jab to force Nikolic on his back foot. It was downhill from there as Zucco picked up the pace and landed a crushing straight left hand that sent the Serbian to the canvas.
Nikolic would get up and was met with a barrage of power shots before getting dropped again from a powerful right hook. His corner had seen enough and was standing on the apron waiting to stop the fight with the referee.
I WON’T FIGHT MY FRIEND, SORRY
Zucco wanted to make a statement, and he did by so bouncing back from a huge first-round letdown to score the knockout. Earlier, the broadcast team entertained the thought of Zucco facing fellow countryman Daniele Scardina in a major all-Italian showdown. During the post-fight interview, Zucco was asked about fighting Scardina if he is victorious in his upcoming fight. The Italian declined to speak on the matter because of a shared friendship between the two men.
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By: Garrisson Bland
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