Denis Grachev versus Vladine Biosse
Whether it's MMA, Muay Thai or Boxing, Denis Grachev keeps on winning
This Friday, light heavyweight prospect, Vladine Biosse (11-0, 6 KOs) of Providence, Rhode Island by way of the Cape Verde Islands off the western coast of Africa, will be facing one of San Diego’s local heroes Denis Grachev (9-0-1, 5 KOs) in the main event of “Champion Breed,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment & Sports at Foxwoods Resort Casino’s Fox Theater in Mashantucket, Conn.
Ever since Grachev and his wife emigrated to the United States from Chaykovsky, Russia, a little over five years ago, he’s been quite busy. Not only does he compete in MMA, Muay Thai and Boxing, he’s also a full time instructor at City Boxing in San Diego’s Downtown. His credentials are of the highest order. The current IKF Muay Thai Light Cruiserweight World Champion is also a two-time World Kickboxing Champion and four time Russian National Kickboxing Champion.
San Diego's Denis Grachev Photo: Jim Wyatt
In his last fight, on January 14, 2011, Grachev defeated by majority decision the previously unbeaten Haitian light heavyweight Azea Augustama, a member of the 2008 Olympic boxing team.
Friday will be Biosse’s third bout since February 4 and his second in less than five weeks. Since turning the page on 2010, Biosse has won each of his fights this year by knockout, to include a win over two-time world champion Santiago Samaniego.
Led by trainer Orlondo Valles, Biosse remains in peak physical condition between each fight, which they claim could be the deciding factor in Friday’s match-up. Grachev has dealt with long stretches of inactivity within the past two years; his victory over Augustama was his first fight in 13 months, so as of Friday night he’ll have fought just one bout in the last year and a half.
An athlete, with an amazing physique, Vladine Boisse will be tough to beat.
“Vladine is a strong kid with a lot of power,” states Valles. “I’ve wanted to boost that power because he doesn’t even know how strong he is. We don’t just want decisions. We want to do the job as quickly as possible.”
So far this year, Biosse has made quick work of his opponents, a far cry from last year in which he won all four of his bouts by unanimous decision after returning from a broken hand.
In past Providence, Rhode Island bouts, the scoring by the local judges has been called into question and now we have Grachev going to face a man they call “Mr. Providence.” Ever since his arrival in town at the age of 13, Biosse has been Mr. Everything in local sports. In high school, he was the team captain for the football team, played running back, defensive back and kicker resulting in all-state honors. Come Spring, he matched those feats by being a star in track and field.
On the undercard, New Haven, Conn., super middleweight Elvin Ayala (22-5, 10 KOs) will face George Armenta (13-6, 11 KOs) of Silver Spring, Md., in an eight-round co-feature.
Also, New Haven lightweight Christian Lao (1-0, 1 KO) will face Barrington Douse of Springfield, Mass., in Douse’s professional debut; unbeaten middleweight Thomas Falowo (2-0, 2 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I. will take on Cincinnati’s Zach Thomas (1-3); New Haven middleweight Rick Dawson (3-0, 1 KO) will take on Odias Dumezil (3-5, 1 KO) of Winter Haven, Fla., who now trains at 401 Boxing in East Providence, R.I.; Providence cruiserweight Maurice Cole will make his debut against Shawn Brooks of Thomson, Ga.; and New Bedford, Mass., junior welterweight Johnathan Vazquez (3-0, 3 KOs) will return to the ring for the first time since November.
Beware the last minute replacement
After an accidental head-butt early in the fourth round opened a cut over Biosse’s right eye, Grachev dropped Biosse with a hard right hand. Grachev continued to apply pressure and nearly dropped Biosse again with another big right. Biosse tried to fight back, but couldn’t survive the round as Grachev delivered the knockout blow at the 2 minute, 56-second mark with a clean right above the left eye. Biosse fell into the ropes, prompting referee Joey Lupino to stop the bout. All told in the fight, Biosse had gone down three times. As a result, Grachev moves up to 10-0-1 with 6 KOs, and Mr. Biosse drops to 11-1-0 with 6 KOs.
