Kevin Hessling announced himself as an interesting new welterweight prospect in the opening fight of the GLORY Superfight Series card.
He and his opponent Stoyan Koprivlenksi were both making their GLORY debuts in this bout, but Hessling looked a class above as he dominated all three rounds to take a clear unanimous decision win.
Though it was the first time that the two were meeting, there was an undercurrent of history in the bout. Koprivlenski fights out of Mikeâs Gym and Hessling is 1-1 against members of that team, having stopped Evgency Shevchenko some years ago then been stopped himself by Massaro Glunder.
Using his reach advantage to great effect, Hessling was able to score frequently without taking too much in the way of return fire. And when Koprivlenski did land on him, Hessling would fire back immediately and score the point back.
Koprivlenski carried an undefeated professional record into the bout but is still early in his professional career. A gulf in experience seemed apparent between the two and Koprivlenski looks like he simply needs more ring time to get where he needs to be.
Hessling outstruck him in every round and though a finish never seemed close, the decision was a foregone conclusion at the end of the third and final round.
Kevin Hessling def. Stoyan Koprivlenski, Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
