Olympic champion Evgeny Tishchenko of Russia will fight in a final eliminator to get a crack at the World Boxing Council (WBC) title in the cruiserweight division, against South African puncher Thabiso Mchunu.

Their fight will take place on March 27 in Yekaterinburg, according to Igor Lazorin.

"The fight between Tishchenko and Mchunu will take place on March 27 in Yekaterinburg and it will be a final eliminator for the WBC's version - and the winner will box for the world title. In addition, the silver title of the WBC, which Mchunu has owned since the end of 2019, will be at stake," a source stated from the Russian boxers' team.

The current WBC cruiserweight champion is Ilunga Makabu, who holds a knockout win over Mchunu.

On the official pro record of Tishchenko, the amateur star has an unbeaten run of 8 wins and 6 of them by knockout.

In amateur boxing, the Russian was a highly regarded fighter. He won a gold medal in the 2016 Olympic games, at heavyweight. He was also an amateur world champion (2015), a two-time European champion (2015, 2017) and winner of the 2013 Universiade.

Mchunu, inactive since December 2019, is riding a very good run of wins.

Among the boxers he's defeated over the last few years - Denis Lebedev, Thomas Ooasthuizen, Ricards Boltniks, Olanrewaju Durodola, Eddie Chambers and Flo Simba.

Mchunu has good power in both hands - with a record of 22 wins, five defeats and 13 victories inside the distance.