Dejan Zlaticanin Returns 10/25, Eyes Title Shot in 2015

By Jake Donovan

Looking to guard against inactivity following the biggest win of his career, Dejan Zlaticanin is preparing for a sudden ring return. The unbeaten lightweight revealed that he will fight on October 25 in Montenegro, facing Ecuador’s Alex Bone in a scheduled 10-round affair.

The bout marks his first ring appearance since scoring what on paper was considered a major upset over former lightweight titlist Ricky Burns on the road in Scotland this past June. Zlaticanin hadn’t fought in 10 months prior to the fight and was traveling to hostile territory, but jumped out to an early lead—including an opening round knockdown of the local favorite—to score a well deserved split decision win.

“All of the boxing experts know who I am after that fight,” Zlaticanin (19-0, 13KOs) told BoxingScene.com of the career-altering win. “Now I am in almost all of the Top 10 ratings (among the sanctioning bodies). Now it’s up to me to prove my worth in the lightweight division.”

Burns has since rebounded with an eight-round points win over Alexandre Lepelley earlier this month, marking his debut in the 140 lb. division. With no big opportunities to look forward to for the rest of the year, Zlaticanin decided to head home. 

The October 25 bout will take place in Budva, a coastal city and popular tourist attraction roughly an hour from the lightweight contender’s hometown of Podgorica, the nation’s capital. Headlining the show, super middleweight contender Nikola Sjekloca faces Jorge Rodriguez.

Zlaticanin’s last fight at home took place more than a year ago, a 1st round knockout of Asan Yuseinov wedged in between big wins over Burns and Petr Petrov, who earlier this year won the ESPN2 Boxcino Lightweight tournament.

If anything, the 30-year old southpaw has proven his ability to handle any task thrown his way. The only problem has been having his name called.

“I want to stay active. This next fight is to show that I’m still in shape, and ready for anything,” Zlaticanin says. “In 2015, I expect to a get a world title shot.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox