Khurtsidze's Trainer: We Hope Saunders Don't Chicken Out

By Steve Kim

So what became of middleweight Avantil 'Suicide' Khurtsidze, who after bursting the bubble of the undefeated Antoine Douglas on March 5th hasn't been seen in the ring since?

His trainer Andre Rozier explained to BoxingScene.com - "Well, we had a medical situation with Avantil. 'Suicide' had hemoglobin in his urine, it wasn't visually detectable but it was there. He had to take the proper measures to make sure he was healthy and he was safe. Once the doctors gave him the clearance we were back on track."

Since stopping Douglas in ten rounds on Showtime, he has sat idle.

"Unfortunately, he was supposed to fight in September and Lou (DiBella) had a fight for him in Chicago but it didn't take place," said Rozier, who also trains Danny Jacobs ."What I'd like to see take place is for Lou to make sure he gets in the ring as soon as possible."

Currently, Khurtsidze (33-2-2, 21 KO's) is the top ranked contender in the WBO to Billy Joe Saunders. And if it were to Rozier, they'd get a crack at that title immediately.

"Without a doubt, 'Suicide' is the number one mandatory, he should be Saunders next opponent and we're looking forward to that,"said the affable cornerman..

"He's been training steadily ever since he stopped Antoine Douglas and he's a very exciting and very energetic fighter and he's a captain in the ring and he just brings a great air to his fights and he's great television. He should be fighting on television at this moment.

"But we are preparing - and we've always worked - even when he had the small medical situation, he was still in the gym training. So we're just waiting for the word and hopefully Billy Joe Saunders doesn't do what he usually does and find a way to chicken out of it."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com