By Vadim Pushkin
Hard-punching cruiserweight contender Dmitry Kudryashov (18-1, 18KOs) of Russia is now training with well-known American coach Joe Goossen.
Last November on the Alexander Povetkin vs. Mariusz Wach undercard, Kudryashov suffered his first knockout loss at the hands of Nigerian hard-hitter Olanrewaju Durodola in only two rounds. The fought for the WBC silver belt at the Tatneft Arena in Kazan.
After that fight, there were claims that Durodola tested positive for a banned substance but those allegations were quickly cast aside because the testing organization which handled the samples has been suspended and under investigation for manipulating results for athletes.
After the KO defeat, his promoter Andrei Ryabinsky of World of Boxing wanted to send him to the United States to get more knowledge of the sport.
"You may not like the rollicking haircut or colorful shirt of Goossen. But that is not important. What is important is that Goossen knows how to teach. Remember how he took the two Mexican brothers, Rafael and Gabriel Ruelas and made them world champions. And before that, Joe sat on the throne of Michael Nunn, who at the end of the last century considered the "jewel of the boxing world." Ask Joel Casamayor about Goossen. With this coach he beat Diego Corrales and then the arrogant Cubans decided to leave Joe," the Russian fighter stated.
"But then Corrales hired Goossen to prepare for the Casamayor rematch - and won on points. And who will forget the role played by Goossen in Corrales; toughest victory over Jose Luis Castillo: Yes, that Joe Goossen - a person with the gift of God. In his gym, Ten Goose in California, are some of the best boxers in the world and those who aspire to become them. And they do not care what kind of shirt the coach wears."
