by Tamas Pradarics

Former interim WBA middleweight titlist Dmitrii Chudinov continues his journey back into serious ranking positions in order to secure his first world title shot when he challenges the vacant WBC Silver 168-pound title on May 5 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Chudinov’s opponent will be unbeaten up-and-comer Azizbek Abdugofurov (10-0, 4 KO), who will enjoy hometown advantage on fight night.

The Russian pugilist, who is the older brother of former WBA world super middleweight champion Fedor Chudinov, currently stands No. 27 by the WBC at 168 pounds and plans crack in the top 15 with a win over his less experienced foe.

Chudinov (21-2-2, 13 KO) grabbed the interim WBA title in late 2013 and secured his most important victories the following year in the form of a 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Danish contender Patrick Nielsen, and a third-round annihilation of former world title challenger Mehdi Bouadla. Dmitrii lost his belt in 2014 by 12th round TKO against extrovert Briton star Chris Eubank Jr.

Following half a dozen victories over somewhat lukewarm opposition, Chudinov traveled to Denmark where he suffered a ten-round points loss to veteran challenger Lolenga Mock this past January.

The Russian came back in the winning column on February 24 in Nuremberg, Germany, where he beat Siarhei Khamitski, A.K.A. Sergey Komitsky, over eight rounds on the undercard of Callum Smith’s World Boxing Super Series semi-final win over Nieky Holzken. Holzken was originally scheduled to go into battle against Chudinov until Juergen Braehmer fell out with an injury and the Holland prospect stepped in against Smith to save the event.

Chudinov, who is enjoying the managerial backing of Al Siesta’s Siesta Boxing Promotions, is now in Spain for his training camp to get ready to the challenge less than a month ahead of him.

“I want to thank my manager Al Siesta for creating such a great opportunity to fight for the WBC Silver title. Me and my team are out in Alicante, Spain preparing for this important fight. I have fought all over the world, so going to Azizbek’s home to fight him is of no concern to me,” said Chudinov.

“It’s a great opportunity to fight a great boxer in his home country, I take great pride in that! Me and my team are preparing like champions for this fight. I have a good team; my coach and manager are all supporting me here as I prepare for Azizbek Abdugofurov. I’m very happy with the work we are doing. We are expecting good results!”

Abdugofurov is a 26-year-old boxer coming from Uzbekistan though he is now living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Azizbek, who is promoted by Vikram Swapragasam, is yet to taste defeat in ten pro outings, previously held the WBC Asian Boxing Council belt. The Uzbek prospect has had most of his bouts in Malaysia and Singapore with the one against Chudinov will only be his third appearance on home soil. Abdugofurov last fought this past March when he decisioned Alfonso Tissen in eight frames.

The May 5 event with the WBC Silver super middleweight title fight as its main attraction in Tashkent has been one of the largest boxing events in the country of Uzbekistan in many years.

You can reach Tamas Pradarics at pradaricst@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TomiPradarics.