The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming !!! And the Ukrainians too.

 

World Amateur Middleweight Champion Ievgen Khytrov arrived at JFK today where he was met by his New York promoter Dmitriy Salita.

 

Khytrov will hit the fast track December 18 at Manhattan's Webster Hall when he makes his pro debut as the main event on Salita's Star of David card.

 

Khytrov, 25, has over 500 amateur fights starting as age 13.  His knockout record is over 80%.  The highlight of his career was when he captured the World Amateur Middleweight Championship in 2011 defeating 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Ryota Murata of Japan in the finals.

 

The low point of his career came in the first round of The London Olympics when he faced British team member Anthony Ogogo.

 

"Ogogo won the first round.  I started slow", said Khytrov. " But I knocked him down in the second and third rounds.  When they gave Ogogo the decision, even the local English crowd jeered."

 

Salita is very excited about promoting Khytrov.  " This guy is such a hard puncher with a thrilling style.  We think Ievgen will become extremely popular in a very short time."