Kornilov Feels Prospects Akhmadaliev, Giyasov Are Special Fighters

By Steve Kim

Vadim Kornilov, who is best known for having managed former world champion Ruslan Provodnikov in the past and currently guiding the career of WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmity Bivol, is high on another pair of prospects - Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Shakhram Giyasov, who made their pro debuts at the King's Theater in Brooklyn, New York last weekend.

Both boxers walked away with first round knockout wins on a card that was staged by Evander Holyfield's Real Deal Boxing. Russia-based promoter World of Boxing have both prospects under contract.

"Shakhram Giyasov is a silver medalst, he was rated one of the top amateur prospects that participated in the Olympics. Very, very deep amateur background," explained Kornilov to BoxingScene.com. "He fought an Argentine guy(Nicolas Velazquez) that he took out in 15 seconds with a body shot."

As for Murodjon Akhmadaliev, Kornilov said to BoxingScene - "He fought an Argentine that Shakur Stevenson fought in his third pro fight (David Paz) and[Stevenson] went six rounds with him. Stevenson beat him on a decision. Murodjon Akhmadaliev, nicknamed 'MJ', is a bronze medalist, a very strong guy, he's been knocking guys down in sparring, he's a powerhouse - he took this guy out in the first minute of the first round with a body shot."

Kornilov further explained that this duo fought ''on a show World of Boxing did together with Real Deal Promotion with Evander Holyfield in Brooklyn. It's planned that these kids are going to be developed there further in that arena because there's a deep Uzbek community in that area."

There was a contingent of Uzbek fans for the boxers who hail from that country.

"We hope that grows and develops," said Kornilov, who is sky high on this pair, who will return on April 21st.

"I really think these guys are going to be special."

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com