Hryunov: We’ve Chosen Holt over Guzman, Urango, Etc.

By Alexey Sukachev and Yuri Tarantin (Allboxing.ru)

On June 20 WBA #11 ranked light welterweight Khabib Allakhverdiev (16-0, 7 KOs) will try to make another giant leap up in class. Allakhverdiev, 29, takes on former WBO champion and still capable Kendall Holt (28-5, 20 KOs), 30, in a defining fight of this stage of his career.

“Holt is an old-fashioned type of warrior. He has belonged to the elite of the division for a long-long time and he doesn’t need any introduction. The winner of the fight has a nice chance to take on the IBF mandatory Zab Judah in his next outing, because the reigning champion Lamont Peterson is currently experiencing some severe problems with doping and an anti-drug test, which means there’s a big possibility the belt will be declared vacant”, said Hryunov to Allboxing.ru.

“Holt wasn’t our first choice. We have firstly looked carefully at WBA interim beltholder Johan Perez (a Venezuelan who competes in Panama) but his promotional and managerial issues prevented us from getting along with this candidate. Then we initiated negotiations with Joan Guzman, Kendall Holt, Kaizer Mabuza and Juan Urango. Kendall is perfectly ready to give us a fight, and his bout against Josesito Lopez has just fallen through, because the latter has chosen to fight Victor Ortiz instead”.

According to Hryunov, Zab Judah will be seen in Moscow on June 20.

“Indeed, we have invited Zab in Moscow, and he has already pre-planned his arrival. Michael Buffer will be a ring-announcer for the show. We chose June 20 (Wednesday) because this particular date is soccer-free, which is a rare case during EURO-2012”, ended Hryunov.