By Alexey Sukachev and Dmitry Mikhalchuk
WBO #6 middleweight Maksym Bursak (21-0-1, 8 KOs) will be featured in the main event of a huge show, arranged by K2 Promotions at “Kobzov” Concert Hall in Kiev, Ukraine, on May 28. 26-year old Bursak, who is best known for his shutout over capable upset artist Brian Vera last September, will put his WBO I/C title at risk against tough Argentinean competitor Carlos Adan Jerez (37-13-3, 17 KOs).
Bursak is a mercurial stylist with underrated toughness and fast, crisp hands to aid his ever-improving finesse. “I’ll leave Jerez without any chances to succeed”, promised Bursak at a specifically designated presser a couple of days ago. “He is an awkward guy but I’m sure I’ll prevail in the contest”, added Maksym, who is also ranked #9 by the IBF at the super middleweight class. If successful against Jerez, Bursak will most probably get his shot at one of the major world titles at the end of the year. This was confirmed by K2 Promotions mastermind and (simultaneously) WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko.
Three all-Ukrainian encounters will support the main event of the show. Light middleweight Dmitry Nikulin (22-1, 8 KOs), whose only loss came in Japan against Japanese Yuki Nonaka, will be tested by yet-unbeaten compatriot Konstantin Rovenskiy (15-0, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder. WBO #4 Sergey Fedchenko (27-1, 13 KOs) will also face fellow Ukrainian over eight rounds. His opponent is also undefeated Artiom Ayvazidi (10-0, 5 KOs). Finally, another ranked (IBF #6) light heavyweight Vitaly Rusal (27-2, 19 KOs) looks to avenge the upset loss to his friend and fellow boxer Olexander Cherviak (9-2, 1 KO). According to Vitali Klitschko, the losers won’t be necessarily downplayed by K2 Promotions but “it would be a serious case to think about their possible dismissal as we anticipate only wins from our guys”.
Highly ranked (WBA #4, WBC #14 and WBO #15) light heavyweight Vyacheslav Uzelkov (23-1, 14 KOs) will continue his comeback against a yet unknown opponent. Kazakh Muslim Mikhail Krinitsin (9-2-2, 5 KOs) is the most possible candidate. WBA #4 and the EBA heavyweight champion Alexander Ustinov (22-0, 17 KOs) will fine-tune his skills against little-known Argentina-based Bolivian Enzo Hector Romero (11-3-2, 7 KOs), who is also known as “Guido Santana”. Ustinov will have another title fight later in September after his almost inevitable win over Romero. Welterweight Olexander Spirko (11-0, 6 KOs) will also be featured. All fights are scheduled for eight rounds.
Other fights:
Timur Akhundov (11-2-1, 4 KOs) vs. Ravil Mukhamadiarov (7-38, 6 KOs) – six rounds; featherweights
Igor Fanian (9-3-1, 6 KOs) vs. Sergey Sergeev (2-2) – six rounds; light middleweights;
Igor Pankevich, who is best known as a sparring partner for Rovenskiy, Bursak and Nikulin, will make his pro debut under K2 aegis.
Doors open at 6 PM LT. The show will be broadcasted live by Inter TV channel starting from 11 PM LT.