Alisher Rakhimov: record, next fight and profile →
Former world champion DeMarcus "Chop-Chop" Corley (37-19-1, 22 KOs) was once again victimized and for the second time in Russia he was held to a rather disputed unanimous decision loss to junior welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov (20-1, 13 KOs). It wasn't the outcome of this close fight but the final tallies of the local judges, which confirmed the home-cooked decision of an entertaining twelve-rounder.
The scene is set for tomorrow's huge event of boxing at the DIVS in Ekaterinburg, Russia. In order to make a strong finish to 2011, German Titov and Kirill Pchelnikov, two well-respected Russian promoters, unified their efforts to produce a gratifying six-fight card this coming Monday with at least four quality match-ups between world-caliber fighters.
While Dmitry Sukhotsky will get his second title chance against WBO king Nathan Cleverly somewhere in 2012, two other capable Russian light heavyweights will close this year with a bang to determine the second best local 175-pounder. On December 5, WBC Asian Boxing Council beltholder Roman Simakov (19-1-1, 9 KOs) will risk his status against hard-hitting Arapohoe-based compatriot Sergey Kovalev (16-0-1, 14 KOs) at DIVS palace of sports in Ekaterinburg Russia.
One of the leading Russian promoters, German Titov, has quite a few fighters under his banner. Besides WBO middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog, Titov sat down with BoxingScene.com to discuss a few of the boxers in his stable.
The huge Ekaterinburg fight card, co-promoted by German Titov, Kirill Pchelnikov and Art Pellulo of Banner Promotions, is only a few days away. On March 26, at DIVS, WBO middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog (17-0, 14 KOs) will put his title at risk against WBO #9 Argentinean challenger Javier Maciel (18-1, 12 KOs), while Alisher Rakhimov (21-0, 11 KOs) collides with Rustam Nugaev (21-5-1, 12 KOs) in another title fight, and Denis Bakhtov (33-5, 22 KOs) will test Vyacheslav Glazkov’s (8-0, 6 KOs) real power in a heated eight-rounder. 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medalist Felix Diaz (8-0, 5 KOs) will also be part of the show.