Arslanbek Makhmudov Inks Promotional Pact With Yvon Michel

It has been announced that Russian heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov signed a promotional agreement with Yvon Michel of GYM.

Represented by Esmir Inc., Makhmudov (1-0, 1 KO) is a 6-foot, 6-inch undefeated athlete who competed in the World Series of Boxing since 2012, where he was also defeated AIBA Pro League world champion and Romanian Olympic pugilist Mihai Nistor, Cubans Jose Larduet and Yoandris Maceo, and Italy's Guido Vianello.

The native of Mozdok, in North Ossetia, in the Russian Caucasus, arrived in Montreal in 2017 to begin his professional career.

The man who quickly became friends with his fellow countrymen Artur Beterbiev and Vislan Dalkhaev, and had his first pro fight on December 8, 2017 in Toronto. He defeated Mexican Jaime Barajas by technical knockout in the first round.

IN OTHER NEWS: PHILADELPHIA - Boxing fans certainly love a knockout, and 2017 was full of them in Philly. Of the many big KOs last year, the best of them all was by Marcel Rivers, at the 2300 Arena last September. Rivers, in his third professional fight, scored a picture-perfect-one punch-knockout of Osnel Charles in the fourth round. For this perfect punch, Rivers will receive a Briscoe Award for the "2017 Knockout of the Year", on March 25, 2018, at the 11th Annual Briscoe Awards.

"It is exactly why boxing fans come out to the fights," said John DiSanto, founder of the Briscoe Awards. "Big knockouts always steal the show, and Marcel's was the biggest."

The Briscoe Awards commemorate the best accomplishments of the Philly-area boxing scene. A total of eleven prizes will be given out in a variety of categories, including "Philly Fighter of the Year", "Philly Fight of the Year", "Amateur of the Year", "Rookie of the Year", "Prospect of the Year", and others.

Advance tickets for the March 25, 2018 Briscoe Awards cost $20 and are currently available for sale at BriscoeAwards.com, or by calling 609-377-6413. Tickets will not be sold at the door. The $20 admission includes food, draft beer, wine, soft drinks, and a souvenir program and ticket. The Briscoe Awards will be held at the VBA Clubhouse, 2733 Clearfield Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19134.

The Briscoe Awards are presented by Philly Boxing History Inc., a 501c3 Non-Profit organization dedicated to preserving and honoring the great legacy of boxing in and around the city of Philadelphia. For more information, call John DiSanto at 609-377-6413.