By Alexey Sukachev
It’s less than a week removed from “The Real Boxing”, Vladimir Hryunov-promoted last notable Russian tourney in 2014 (there will also be a small card in Ekaterinburg on Dec. 20 but of a much lesser magnitude). The show takes part on December 11 at the Dynamo Arena in Krylatskoye, Moscow, Russia.
The gem of the show is a long-announced showdown for a vacant WBA interim super middleweight title between WBA #2 rated Fedor Chudinov (11-0, 9 KOs) and fellow undefeated WBA #4 Ben McCulloch (14-0, 11 KOs) of Australia, scheduled for twelve. The fight had been first scheduled to take place on Nov. 8 in Tyumen but then was twice re-scheduled, finally landing in Moscow.
According to McCulloch, he is coming to Russia for a win: “I have been training very diligently and I have sparred with top-notched boxers. I’m ready for a fight. Fedor [Chudinov] is a very good boxer, and I have an utmost respect for him. I’m sure the fight will be very entertaining. I have a plan. I’ll try to score a knockout but I’m also prepared for a full distance fight. It’ll be my first time in Russia, and I’m fully ready to show my best”.
In what will serve as a co-main event, newly signed Russian/Belarussian heavyweight Alexander “The Great” Ustinov (29-1, 21 KOs), previously handled by the K2 Promotions and now signed with Hryunov, is reportedly facing a well-travelled American journeyman Chauncy “The Hillyard Hammer” Welliver (55-9-5, 22 KOs) for a vacant PABA title. The clash was confirmed by Vladimir Hryunov in his interview with R-Sport earlier this week, while BoxRec presently lists Kenyan Raymond Ochieng (25-17-3, 17 KOs), the latest conqueror of David Rodriguez, as Ustinov’s next foe but there’s no confirmation of any changes at this point.
Ustinov was previously scheduled to fight against well-known Internet personality Kimbo Slice (7-0, 6 KOs) but that fight has fallen through on shaky financial terms.
“Our real goal is to fight Wladimir Klitschko for a world championship”, admitted Hryunov. “It’ll take about a year for Alexander to prepare for such a fighter as the champion, but I think his stature and his size will be a problem for the Klitschko”.
Ustinov himself also made some statements – both during a presser today and earlier in an interview with BoxKO: “I’ll fight in Russia for the first time. Despite a fact that I live in Belarus, I intend to show my best the coming Thursday for the Russian fans”.
Regarding a change in promoter, “I fought too little as a boxer of K2 Promotions. I was going to nowhere – the year was at its end, and I’ve just got no fights for more than twelve months. I guess it’s not good to a boxer, and a promoter shouldn’t behave like this. On the other hand, Vladimir Hryunov is a world-class promoter who means business”.
Regarding a change in opponent, “I’m not disappointed [that Kimbo Slice collision has fallen through] – it happens this way sometimes. I’ve been in such situations before. For example, my fight against Tyson Fury was called off after the weigh-in. I’m prepared for such issues”.
OTHER BOUTS
A full schedule of the event remains partially in question. Two more fights were announced by Vladimir Hryunov but for whatever reason they aren’t listed at BoxRec.
WBA #4 light welterweight Khabib Allakhverdiev (19-1, 9 KOs), a former WBA 140lb champion, was said to be getting back to the ring against unproven Dominican Julio De Jesus (22-1, 21 KOs) in a tune up fight. Also, WBA #4 Russian middleweight champion Arif Magomedov (13-0, 8 KOs) was announced as a part of the show but his opponent remains to be seen.
Several more fights are listed at BoxRec, including two Russian national championships in light heavyweight (Alexey Stakanchikov (3-1, 2 KOs) vs. Konstantin Piternov (17-6, 8 KOs)) and super middleweight divisions (Dilmurod Satybaldiev (5-1, 2 KOs) vs. Karen Tevosyan (19-4-3, 10 KOs), who fought the last time in 2011 in the light welterweight division). Three more contests are expected to fill in the card.
An open workout is planned for Monday, December 8, while the official weigh-in takes place on Dec. 10. The card starts on Dec. 11 at 7 PM LT.
