By Alexey Sukachev
Two Russian fighters from a historic place of Pskov are presently aiming at top honors at the continental level, says their promoter Igor Sudelainen.
A more renowned figure of the two is a former cruiserweight perennial contender (and, occasionally, the WBA interim titleholder) Valery Brudov (40-4, 28 KOs). Brudov, who has only lost to world champions in championship fights (mostly in “regular” or “interim” competitions), came back in late June to outpoint 1-0 rookie Sergey Gorokhov over eight at 181 pounds. At 36, Brudov looks stronger at a new light heavyweight class and plans to collide with reigning European beltholder Juergen Braehmer somewhere in the fall.
Another boxer, featherweight Andrey Bogdanov (17-1-1, 6 KOs), who enjoys a 7-year long winning streak, sets his eye on the WBO European or EBU European titles, currently held by fellow compatriot Vyacheslav Gusev and Belgian Armenian Alex Miskirtichian respectively. Bogdanov, 32, is a former BBU and Russian super bantamweight and WBO Oriental featherweight champion. Sudelainen says his boxer can be a part of the show, promoted by Ricky Hatton in October or November in Astana (Kazakhstan). An opponent is unknown yet. Looks like WBA #10 and WBC #12 bantamweight Zhanat Zhakiyanov (20-1, 13 KOs) will also be a part of the show in his Homeland.
