By Alexey Sukachev
An opponent was named for world-ranked Georgian middleweight Avtandil Khurtsidze (22-2-2, 13 KOs), who headlines a local fight card in Tbilisi, Georgia, on March 13. WBA #1 ranked 160-pounder will take on experienced Polish battler Mariusz Cendrowski (21-2-2, 8 KOs) for the vacant IBO middleweight title, vacated by Peter Mandfredo Jr. The show is being arranged by Kiev-based Elite Boxing Promotions.
“We have already received a signed agreement from the Polish party”, announced Elite’s matchmaker Alexander Kuznetsov. “An official approval from the IBO headquarters would be received shortly”. Cendrowski is currently in his hometown of Wroclaw preparing for an upcoming showdown under the guidance of his coach Zbiegniew Gosiewski. He is best known for an unlucky challenge at Baltic Boxing Union middleweight title in 2009 (lost an injury-forced TKO to Kai Kauramaki) and a pair of quality wins over previously undefeated (21-0) prospect Thomas Troelenberg the last year.
The entire event was moved from the 12th of the March to the 13th of the same month to accommodate the Tbilisi Sports Palace internal schedule. Junior welterweight Victor Postol (12-0, 8 KOs) faces tough Sam Rukundo (15-3-1, 6 KOs) in the co-feature. The whole card will be televised live by the “First National” Ukrainian TV channel.
