Baysangurov vs Miranda: WBO Interim Title in Odessa?

By Ruslan Chikov

According to various sources in Ukrainian media, highly regarded Kiev-based Russian junior middleweight Zaurbek Baysangurov (25-1, 19 KOs) will soon go for the biggest prize of his career to date. WBO #4 Baysangurov, 26, who is also ranked #2 by the WBA, #8 by the WBC and #13 by the IBF, faces 38-year old WBO #5 Brazilian Mike Miranda for a vacant WBO interim light middleweight title. This battle will crown a huge K2-promoted event in the seaport of Odessa, one of the most beautiful Ukrainian cities, on July 30.

Baysangurov was a wrecking ball early in his career with a sound drubbing of perennial contender Marco Antonio Rubio and a successful European title reign in 2007/2008. His rapid rise was unexpectedly derailed by American veteran Cornelius Bundrage in December 2008, who went from a clear underdog in the Baysangurov fight to become a world champion in less than two years.

The proud Chechen native, on the other hand, recovered well from the bitter experience and notched six wins (five coming inside the distance) in the next two years to become a notable figure once againt at 154 lbs.

Salvador (Bahia) native Miranda has an impressive record but almost all of his victories came in his homeland against extremely inferior opposition. It will be almost impossible for him to create any significant problems for Baysangurov, and even less possible to win a belt. The WBO's full champion is Ukrainian Sergey Dzinziruk (37-1, 23 KOs).