By Alexey Sukachev
Promoters (and partners) Kirill Pchalnikov and German Titov are really serious in getting it on overseas, in America. Two leading Russian boxing personalities, who staged a number of quality boxing shows in Russia, are slowly integrating onto American TV market with the cream of their teams. Such names as Ruslan Provodnikov and Maxim Vlasov are already known to American fans of the Sweet Science thanks to their impressive and fan-friendly performances during the ESPN FNF shows, which are widely popular across the States. Uzbek stylist Sherzod Husanov has also brought his name into contention after his spirited effort against Columbian Jhon Berrio this June. Yet another talented boxer, undefeated middleweight Dmitry Pirog will also has his chance big time when he takes on fellow unbeaten Daniel Jacobs for a vacant WBO middleweight crown on HBO PPV this July 31.
But that is surely not all as several more Russian (or promoted by Russians) prospects are preparing to make another splash outside of Russia. The first wave of Titov/Pchelnikov protégés is already going in. Four of their fighters will have their chances the next Wednesday at legendary Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Helping their chances are local promoter Michael Zhovtis and veteran matchmaker Don Elbaum. The entire show will be broadcasted by Comcast network, which is thought to create even more promotion for this event.
2008 Beijing light welterweight gold medalist Felix Diaz (5-0, 3 KOs) of Dominican Republic is the only one who doesn’t know his opponent yet. He will face tough-as-always TBA in a scheduled 147lb eight rounder. Another 2008 Olympian, super heavyweight bronze medalist for Ukraine Vyacheslav Glazkov (5-0, 3 KOs) is taking on 41-year old veteran Marc Brown (15-3, 7 KOs) over six in his American debut. Hard-hitting middleweight Max Limonov (12-0, 8 KOs), 21, fights veteran Julius Fogle (15-5, 10 KOs) also in a six-rounder. Finally, flyweight light-hitter Rustam Nabeev (5-0, 0 KOs) is penciled to collide with kayo artist Alejandro Solorio (3-2, 3 KOs) in a four-rounder.
“We are positive about this show”, tells us German Titov. “That’ll be a beginning of something really big in America. I hope this tournament will be even a better performance than those usually broadcasted by the ESPN and Telefutura. And, surely, that’s just the first step in conquer of a New World for us”.
In a main event, popular Israeli cruiserweight Ran Nakash (24-0, 18 KOs) battles Victor Barragan (11-5, 3 KOs) over ten rounds. Among those who will constitute an undercard will be popular local heavyweight Joey Dawejko (3-0, 1 KOs).
