Junior welterweight Arthur Biyarslanov is hungry for a title shot and hopes facing a former beltholder will move him closer to that dream.
Biyarslanov faces Sergey Lipinets in a 10-round bout on Thursday at the Casino de Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The main event is a junior middleweight title bout between Mary Spencer and Mikaela Mayer.
Biyarslanov is currently ranked No. 7 by the WBC and No. 9 by the IBF. The unrated Lipinets held the IBF junior welterweight title from November 2017 until March 2018. Biyarslanov, 19-0 (16 KOs), views this fight as forward progress to facing the best in the world.
“I want to get my name out there,” Biyarslanov told BoxingScene. “Every fight is one step closer. I know I can become a world champion. In my weight division, I have seen these guys fight, and I know I can beat them. I believe in myself. I just need the opportunity.”
Biyarslanov has had a long journey to this point. The 30-year-old turned professional in late 2018 but saw the COVID-19 pandemic slow him down. Biyarslanov fought four times in 2019 but only twice apiece in 2020 and 2021. Now he has the record to compete for a title, but he finds himself in limbo when it comes to facing the biggest names and top champions
“[I am] a big risk, less reward for them,” Biyarslanov said. “I guess I don’t have the name like they do. Seeing me, a southpaw with heavy hands and a good record, I am sure anyone in the top 10 of the rankings will try to avoid me.”
Biyarslanov sees one exception: If future opponents are getting paid well, he believes the fights can happen. Another avenue is to continue his path up the rankings, taking a traditional developmental route to ensure a chance at holding a belt.
Biyarslanov trains with Samuel Decarie. The two have worked together for roughly four years. Decarie is best known for leading junior lightweight Leila Beaudoin to a fight with Alycia Baumgardner, which will take place on November 14.
“He is open-minded. He is easy to work with, and he is very excited about training,” Biyarslanov said. “He wants to make you better, and he is always planning.
Lipinets, 18-4-1 (13 KOs), is a Kazakh fighter who lives in Woodland Hills, California. The 36-year-old enters the contest after being stopped by British contender Adam Azim in February.
“He is coming off a loss, and I am sure he is hungry to get back in the ratings,” Biyarslanov said. “He is a strong puncher, just like me, and in boxing, one punch can change the fight.
“I want to make a statement,” he said. “Lipinets is a perfect opponent for me to do that.”
