WBO #9 and IBF #11 Bantamweight Nikolai Potapov returned to action Thursday night in Moscow with an impressive fifth-round TKO over Tanzanian veteran Nasibu Ramadhani.

Fighting in the 10-round main event of a card presented by Shamo Boxing at the Korston Club Hotel, Potapov (21-2-1, 12 KOs), of Podolsk, Russia, worked past a head-butt induced cut left eye to put his world-class skills on full display. He wobbled the aggressive Ramadhani (29-14-2, 16 KOs) in the second round with a three-punch combination and continued to dominate until the stoppage.

“I am glad to get the work and the win,” said the victorious Potapov. “I would like to come back to the US and get another opportunity to fight for the world title.” 

The fight was Potapov’s first since his highly controversial decision loss to fellow contender Joshua Greer last July. Potapov’s promoter, Dmitriy Salita, says the capable Russian is gearing up for another assault on the division’s best.

“I am glad Nikolai got some work in and was able to score an impressive TKO victory. The bantamweight division is heating up and he is up there with the best in the weight class. I look forward to a great 2020 for Nikolai!”

Coach Jesus Antonio Labrador is predicting a knockout win for Katharina Thanderz (12-0, 2 KOs) when she faces Danila Ramos (8-1, 1 KO) for the interim WBC World Super Featherweight title on November 16th in Oslo.

Thanderz has trained in Alicante, Spain under the tutelage of Labrador since making her professional debut in May 2016, and will once again be counting on her coach's expertise as she looks to win her first World title.

Labrador, who has overseen Thanderz’s rise from budding amateur to World title challenger, believes she has always possessed the ability to reach the top of the sport, and is backing his fighter to make history at the Ekeberghallen.

“I’ve known from the very first moment that she would become World Champion,” said Labrador. “Katharina is very inspired to fight at home in Oslo, and it will give her added motivation for sure. She wants to show her people that they have someone to get inspired by and feel proud of.

“Everything is going as planned. Katharina has fought ten rounds before and she has fought for titles as well. I won’t speak about our game plan, but we know it will be a very tough fight and Danila is coming to give it her all.”

When asked how the fight will go, the experienced Spanish coach is confident in the outcome, stating: “Kathy will win before the limit. Knockout! I hope I don’t break her when I hug her with all my strength after the fight.”

Katharina Thanderz headlines a huge show at the historic Ekeberghallen as she faces Danila Ramos for the interim WBC Female World Super Featherweight crown, while Kai Robin Havnaa looks to bolster his World title claim in a crunch cruiserweight clash with American dangerman Al Sands, and top talents Kevin Melhus, Alexander Hagen, Bernard Torres and Kent Erik Baadstad complete an action-packed card in the Norwegian capital.