Glazkov Faces Bakhtov; E-burg Fight Card Looks Finalized

By Alexey Sukachev

The large event in Ekaterinburg, Russia, taking place on March 26 and co-promoted by German Titov, Kirill Pchelnikov and Art Pellulo of Banner Promotions, is on the verge of being finalized. There will be seven fights in the show, including four twelve-round title fights, two eight-round undercard attractions and a tune-up four-rounder. Boxers from Russia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Dominican Republic and Tanzania will take part on this international card, which will be televised on a national level by ‘Russia 2.’

Headlining the event is the only Russian world champion Dmitry Pirog (17-0, 14 KOs). Pirog, 30, will put his WBO middleweight title at risk against WBO #9 Argentinean challenger Javier Francisco Maciel (18-1, 12 KOs), 26. Maciel is 4-0, with 4 KOs, in 2010 and had wins over Francisco Antonio Mora (55-14-1) and Juan Carlos Alderete (33-6-1) in the last couple of years. He is also the WBO Latino 160-ound champion.

In the main co-featured bout of the evening, WBC #20 lightweight boxer-puncher Alisher Rakhimov (21-0, 11 KOs), 33, from Uzbekistan, takes on rugged and hard-hitting plodder Rustam “Mangust” Nugaev (21-5-1, 12 KOs) of Perm, Russia, for a vacant WBO Asia Pacific interim lightweight title. 28-year old Nugaev is a known personality amongst American fans as he scored several big wins in mid and late-00’s, including previously unbeaten Anthony Mora (15-0), Efren Hinojosa (29-2-1), Justin Juuko (43-9-1) and Jose Antonio Izquierdo (17-2-1). Rakhimov, former Uzbek Olympian, had wins over world-ranked Vyacheslav Gusev, Oleg Yefimovich and Stanislav Merdov among many.

Czech Ondrej Pala (28-2, 20 KOs), 26, whose only stoppage loss against world-known Denis Boytsov was cut-induced, faces Ukrainian veteran and former Olympian Alexey Mazikin (16-5-2, 3 KOs), 36, for a vacant WBO European heavyweight title. Pala has wins over former champion Henry Akinwande and prospect Konstantin Airich, while won last “Bigger’s Better” Cyprus installment.

Finally, in the fourth title bout of the night, Kazakh cruiserweight Issa Akberbayev (6-0, 3 KOs), 27, battles Tanzanian Pascal Ndomba (9-2-2, 7 KOs), for a vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council 200-pound title.

Two former amateur stars, co-promoted by Titov and Pchelnikov will see colossal leaps in the level of their opposition in non-title eight-rounders. Firstly, 2008 Beijing junior welterweight Olympic champion Felix Diaz (8-0, 5 KOs), 27, of Dominican Republic, will test his skills against former WBA welterweight champion Yuri Nuzhnenko (30-2-1, 14 KOs), 34. Then 2008 Beijing super heavyweight bronze medalist Vyacheslav Glazkov (8-0, 6 KOs), 26, will reportedly (according to “Champion” Ukrainian media agency) fight 31-year old Russian veteran Denis Bakhtov (33-5, 22 KOs), 31.

Finally, another former amateur standout out of Dominican Republic, Lennin Casillo (3-0, 2 KOs) collides with local Gennady Maksimov (3-1, 2 KOs), 21, in a four-round light heavyweight contest.

The show will be arranged at DIVS sports arena. Doors are open at 6 PM LT (GMT+5), the first bout is being held at 7 PM. The televised part of the show begins at 10 PM LT. Tickets can be purchased by phone: (343) 270 50 50. Watch Russian version of the trailer here.