Jermaine Franklin Gets Decision Over Ivan Dychko

Las Vegas, NV, USA - Jermaine Franklin handed Ivan Dychko the first defeat of his professional career on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium, but few inside the building believed the right man had his hand raised. The American gatekeeper earned a unanimous decision on cards of 96-93, 95-94, and 97-92, though most observers felt Dychko had done enough to preserve his unbeaten record.

A Cautious Opening

The bout began with both men jabbing cautiously, each showing respect for the other’s weapons. Dychko, the 6’9” two-time Olympic bronze medalist, controlled the early distance with his long jab and picked off Franklin with straight rights and light body shots. Franklin tried to lay traps but found himself stuck on the outside and too often smothered in clinches.

An Ugly Middle Stretch

From the third round on, the fight turned into a messy affair. Dychko’s size and jab were enough to keep Franklin from gaining momentum, but his output dropped as the contest dragged, leading to long clinches, missed swings, and an increasingly restless crowd. Boos echoed through the stadium as both fighters leaned on each other in repetitive tie-ups.

Franklin’s best moments came in the seventh and eighth, when he landed his cleanest right hands of the night and mixed in some body shots during brief exchanges. The ringside commentators speculated that Dychko was hurt, though he appeared more fatigued than shaken. Dychko did lose a point for holding in the eighth. Even so, Franklin’s late effort provided him with a foothold on the cards.

Down the Stretch

Rounds nine and ten offered more of the same—scrappy clinching, scattered jabs, and occasional rights. Dychko looked the tidier of the two, while Franklin delivered the kind of performance that has become his trademark: competitive enough to survive, just busy enough to argue the case afterward. The expectation in press row was a wide decision for Dychko despite the lackluster action.

A Surprising Verdict

Instead, the scores shocked many. All three judges leaned Franklin’s way, awarding him a unanimous decision that drew disbelief from fans and analysts alike. While Franklin celebrated the biggest win of his career, the reaction in the arena suggested that the Kazakh giant had been denied the verdict.

Aftermath

For Franklin, the official victory breathes new life into his career. Once seen as the man who “does just enough to lose,” he can now claim a scalp over an undefeated prospect on a major stage. The payday and profile boost ensure more opportunities ahead. Expect Franklin to still face Moses Itauma in the near future, but with this win, he'll bring a touch more credibility to the table.

For Dychko, the loss is damaging not only to his record but to his momentum. With his amateur pedigree and towering frame, he was expected to cruise past Franklin. Instead, he leaves Las Vegas with questions about stamina, activity, and his ability to impress over ten rounds. The consensus among fans and pundits, however, is that he deserved to remain unbeaten — making the decision sting all the more.

⚖️ Editorial Note: This report reflects the widespread view at ringside that the judges’ scoring did not align with the action in the ring.