By Ruslan Chikov
On Sunday, IBF #5 ranked bantamweight and former long-time Japanese champion Alexander Bakhtin (26-0, 11 KOs) made another step to recognition with a one-sided decision against Tanzanian Mbwana Matumla (19-6, 11 KOs) over ten easy rounds. As BoxingScene has already reported, next for Bakhtin might be a fight on May 22 in Roy Jones vs Denis Lebedev undercard at Dynamo Arena in Krylatskoye, Moscow.
According to Allboxing.ru, there are two Asian frontrunners to land a fight with the still undefeated Russian boxer. The first possible choice is IBF #10 Michael Domingo (40-15-2, 18 KOs), 31, who has recently lost to South African Vusi Malinga in another IBF eliminator. Domingo of Philippines had been enjoying a nice winning series for almost three years before that with stoppage victories over such notables as Jose Navarro, Ratanachai Sor Vorapin and Luis Melendez and a decision over previously undefeated Mexican Miguel Roman. Another probable selection is 32-year old former champion Megoen Singsurat (72-6, 49 KOs) of Thailand. Singsurat, who is best known for his win over Manny Pacquiao for the WBC flyweight title back in 1999, was scheduled to face Bakhtin on Sunday instead of Matumla but now can be a later choice for the Russian contender.
