Deontay Wilder 's head coach Malik Scott returned to the ring for the first time since 2016, but was outpointed by MMA veteran Sergei Kharitonov.
The heavyweights fought earlier this month in a six-round exhibition fight at the M1 Casino in Belarus, Russia. Kharitonov entered the fight fresh off of a stoppage win against kickboxing legend Tyrone Spong at Eagle FC 44 in January.
Scott was competing for the first time in six years having retired from boxing after his decision loss to Luis Ortiz. He became the head coach of Wilder ahead of his trilogy with Tyson Fury, in which the former champion lost by knockout.
Kharitonov, who has only fought twice in boxing before, was being outboxed by the veteran Scott for the majority of the first round. The Russian made the fight gritty in the second stanza by roughing up Scott in the clinch, but was dropped at the end of the round with a body shot.
The fight started to get ugly in the third round as both men were slowing down. Kharitonov landed a short uppercut in the clinch and Scott took a knee, but got back to his feet and finished the rest of the round with ease.
Both fighters were repeatedly warned for clinching throughout the rest of the fight as little action took place. Kharitonov tried his best to fight on the inside as Scott didn't offer the MMA veteran much back, with Kharitonov winning the bout by split decision on the judges' scorecards.
Reflecting on the loss, Scott wrote: “Felt good being back under the lights last night. It’s been almost seven since the last time I gloved up. It’s been four years since the last time I did some serious sparring.
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“When you’re always busy teaching the craft and learning the craft, it keeps you in some kind of good physical shape. Wins, losses, disappointments, etc. I’m grateful for every experience and lesson that comes from this noble art.”
Kharitonov paid his respect to Scott after the fight, stating: “It was very difficult. My previous fights ended in the first round and the third or fourth. Malik Scott is a very serious opponent. Malik Scott is a machine. I knew who I was going to fight, but I always go only forward.”
It was the fourth loss of Scott's boxing career, but given the bout was an exhibition it will not go on his professional record. Scott will still serve as Wilder's trainer for his comeback fight later this year, with the coach admitted could be against a lower-ranked heavyweight.
