It’s sink or swim for Danish middleweight Abdul Khattab (9-0, 3 KOs) as he takes another step up in class to face ‘The Fish’ Alexey Ribchev (19-11-1, 6 KOs) on February 7 at the Nordic Fight Night in Frederikshavn.
Ribchev represents Khattab’s toughest assignment to date. The experienced Bulgarian has posed problems for a number of up and coming fighters, and has previously gone the distance with European Champion Jack Culcay and former world title challenger Brian Rose.
Despite his opponent’s pedigree, Khattab believes he is up to the challenge, insisting it will be a case of brain over brawn when the pair meet at the Arena Nord. ‘’Ribchev is a strong guy but he’s very one-dimensional,’’ said the undefeated 21 year-old from Copenhagen.
‘’He likes to come forward and meet his opponents head on, but that won't work with me. I’m too fast and too clever. My technique will prove too much for him. By beating Ribchev, I will show that I’m ready for bigger and better challenges.’’
Said promoter Nisse Sauerland: ‘’We were pleased with Abdul’s progress last year, and in 2015, we expect more of the same. This will be another step up for him and a test of how far he has come in the past 12 months. We have big plans for Abdul, but he must first prove himself against Ribchev. It will be sink or swim when he faces ‘The Fish’.’’
The action-packed show at the Arena Nord in Frederikshavn is topped by Danish cruiserweight Micki Nielsen (16-0, 12 KOs), who challenges Julio Cesar Dos Santos (27-3, 24 KOs) for the WBC International crown, and will also feature the Scandinavian showdown between Kim Pouslen (26-1, 7 KOs) and Anthony Yigit (11-0-1, 4 KOs), and Dennis Ceylan’s (12-0-1, 6 KOs) rematch with Cristian Montilla (6-3-1, 3 KOs). Tickets are available via arenanord.dk.