German Titov and RCC Boxing Promotions continue their local activities with a solid fight card, scheduled for Sunday, December 11th, at the DIVS Arena in Ekaterinburg, Russia. The card consists of ten fights, which will feature both recent amateur standouts and well-established contenders.

Despite an ongoing armed and political conflict, involving Russia and its counterparts, a relatively strong card was arranged, relying partially on opponents from Africa and Latin America.

In the main event, TBRB #8 rated light middleweight Magomed Kurbanov (23-0, 13 KOs) will look to improve his credentials against genuine Venezuelan puncher Johan Gonzalez (31-1, 31 KOs), who is ranked #3 by the WBA at 154 lbs.

Kurbanov got his arguably biggest victories in the last couple of years.

In May 2021 he scored a close (some even say questionable) decision over former WBO titleholder Liam Smith, then added a wider decision this July versus another WBO beltholder Patrick Teixeira. Kurbanov, 27, is probably in his prime but his title chances are now hampered by sanctions from major sanctioning bodies.

Gonzalez, 31, will fight for the first time outside of his native Venezuela and semi-native Panama, where he has spent his entire career. The Venezuelan, who debuted as a pro in 2017, fought mostly non-descript opposition. When he stepped up in class his results were mixed. In September 2019 he lost on points to experienced countryman Charlie Navarro. However, this past March his second attempt was more fruitful as he stopped previously undefeated Azerbaijani kayo artist Elvin Ganbarov in five rounds.

In a co-feature, former three-division beltholder Jorge Linares of Venezuela will try to erase his bad Russian memories against locally based Armenian Zhora Hamazaryan (12-3-2, 9 KOs), 26, who is best known for a couple of his close fights versus then-undefeated American Thomas Mattice (a split decision loss and a draw).

Linares (47-7, 26 KOs), 37, previously fought in Russia in February and was stopped in the twelfth by another RCC-promoted fighter Zaur Abdullaev. Hamazaryan is known for his punching power, while Linares is known both for his superior technique and less-than-average chin, which makes up for a fun fight.

2016 Olympic gold medalist Evgeny Tishchenko (10-1, 7 KOs) will look to continue his career resurrection following his disruptive March 2021 loss to Thabiso Mchunu in the WBC cruiserweight eliminator. The lanky 31-year-old southpaw will take on a rare European guest in former European champion Yves Ngabu (21-1, 15 KOs) of Belgium.

Ngabu, 33, fought twice in 2022 (a KO 1 win and an NC) following a two and a half years of layoff after his stoppage defeat to Lawrence Okolie.

Tricky Russia-based Azerbaijani super featherweight Elnur Samedov (14-1, 5 KOs), a fine stylist with underrated punching power, will try to continue his recent streak of success against yet-to-be-defeated Spain-based Moroccan Moussa Gholam (19-0, 12 KOs). Ghoulam has a couple of wins over aged former standouts in 61-5 Thai Suriya Tatakhun (TKO 10 in 2019) and 52-19-1 former WBC super flyweight champion Tomas “Gusano” Rojas (TKO 5 in 2022).

All those fights are scheduled for ten rounds.

In a major eight-rounder, rising heavyweight Georgy Yunovidov (6-0, 3 KOs) will test his skills against aging and overweight Namibian journeyman Vikapita Meroro (30-13, 15 KOs).

Also on the card are recent amateur stars Saveliy Sadoma from Russia (1-0 as a pro) and debutant Bobo-Usmon Baturov of Uzbekistan (2019 WC bronze medalist and 2020 Tokyo Olympian).

Other fights:

Ivan Kozlovsky (6-0, 3 KOs) vs. Avak Uzlyan (5-1-1, 2 KOs) – 10 rounds, light welterweights

Igor Adleiba (13-0-2, 5 KOs) vs. Maxim Cherniciuc (4-0, 1 KOs) – 8 rounds, welterweights 

Asror Vokhidov (10-1, 6 KOs) vs. Armen Ataev (7-4-1, 4 KOs) – 8 rounds, super bantamweights