By Alexey Sukachev and Inna “Basya” Lagun

IBF #3 and WBC/WBA/WBO #4 ranked heavyweight prospect Denis Boytsov (27-0, 22 KOs) took some time to speak Allboxing.ru German correspondent Inna Lagun about his recovery following a recent surgery on his right fist.

Inna: Denis, how do you feel yourself after this surgery?

Denis: I started my trainings a month ago. I decided to make a round of push-ups and was negatively surprised with the outcome – just 27 push-ups at once. My usual norm is 500 push-ups.

Inna: How much turns do you take reaching this number?

Denis: 500 push-ups in 10 turns. But now I’m making it no problem. I’m not in the best shape right now but I’m approaching it.

Inna: What else do you do during your preparations?

Denis: I’m doing mitts, shadowboxing, swimming and bars – one training a day. Well, I’m also looking after my cat (smiles), cycling and resting at a sea-shore.

Inna: No extreme sports, eh?

Boytsov has a scary experience in parachute sports when he got entangled in ropes during one of his jumps. “Yep, I wasn’t totally sure where I have found myself after landing – here or there. Well, nevertheless, that’s a wonderful feeling when flying in the skies. I’ll try this one more in future for sure”.

Denis: Unfortunately, now. I should be patient and I need a lengthy and careful recovery. I don’t want to skip it and to hurry up. But I miss the ring so much. The state of the current heavyweight division is so delusional that my upgraded fist is badly needed for some clean-up here.

Inna: Thanks for a quickie!

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Up-and-coming junior welterweight prospect Denis Shafikov (23-0, 13 KOs) returned into action this Wednesday night in Saint Petersburg, Russia, stopping hugely overmatched Uzbek Bobir Normatov (1-9-1) in 58 seconds. There was no competition as Shafikov promptly pinned Normatov to the ropes and quickly demolished him with a body-breaking left hook, followed by a right hand to the head. The Russian fighter was previously mentioned to face Serkomil Rakhimov or Alexey Shorokhov.

Shafikov was fighting for the first time in eight months after a streak of injuries. “Denis will be back to the ring either on July 22 in Jurmala, Latvia, or on September 3 in Helsinki, Finland”, said his manager Oleg Bogdanov.

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Jab Promotions, one of the best Russian promotional companies, will most probably contribute to a local show, being arranged by Alexey Ivanov at “Orrizonte” restaurant in a sea resort place of Jurmala, Latvia, on July 22.

WBO #14 Russia-based Tajik welterweight Sherali “The Lion” Mamadaliev (11-0, 7 KOs) puts both of his titles (WBO Europe and PABA) at risk against tough journeyman and EBU-EE titlist Alexey Evchenko (8-7-1, 4 KOs), who was once the Russian champion as well. This will be a featured bout of the evening. Another Jab-promoted fighter in Hurshid Abdullaev (3-0, 2 KOs) will be seen in an undercard. Shafikov’s participation, as was mentioned above, is also possible.

Local fans will have a chance to see their favorites too, as popular journeyman Jurijs Borejko (17-22-1, 13 KOs), kayo artist Sergejs Malcevs (6-1, 5 KOs) and heavyweight Pavel Dolgovs (5-6-1, 3 KOs) will all see action on fight night.

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Several fighters, promoted by German Titov and Kirill Pchelnikov, will most probably take their parts in a Philly show, being arranged by Don Elbaum on July 14.

Beijing Olympics welterweight gold medalist Felix Diaz (5-0, 3 KOs) of Dominican Republic will see action in an eight-rounder against ever-dangerous TBA. Hard-hitting middleweight banger Max Limonov (12-0, 8 KOs) faces fading journeyman Julius Fogle (15-5, 10 KOs) over six. And another 2008 Olympian, super heavyweight silver medalist Vyacheslav Glazkov (5-0, 3 KOs) takes on veteran Mark Brown (15-3, 7 KOs) in an important six-round heavyweight step-up in class.

Popular Jewish cruiserweight Ran Nakash (24-0, 18 KOs) will face his toughest career test against aged 42, yet still capable former champion Lou Del Valle (38-6-2, 22 KOs) in a featured ten-rounder. Comcast will televise it.

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Local promoter Nikolay Galkin staged a tiny pro tournament with several familiar faces (for Russian fight fans) this past Saturday at Yugorskiy Congress Hall in Kabardinka, Russia. In a main event WBO #7 bantamweight Sahib Usarov (15-0, 6 KOs), who usually competes several weight classes higher his rated weight, stayed busy with a unanimous decision over lightweight Alexey Shorokhov (2-3, 2 KOs) in an eight-rounder. Also, former amateur standout Igor Ivanov (5-0, 1 KO) overcame Fedor Mushtranov’s (3-2, 2 KOs) tough resistance to get a majority decision over eight rounds at lightweight limit.

Other results: Timur Gimaev (10-3-1, 3 KOs) MD 6 Victor Izhak (3-1-1, 2 KOs); Bobir Normatov (1-8-1) MD 6 Vitaly Novikov (pro debut).

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Looks like WBA #1 cruiserweight Valery Brudov (38-2, 27 KOs) is off this Saturday’s show in Pskov, Russia. Brudov, who is hunting after mysteriously disappearing WBA champion Guillermo Jones (who was last seen in the ring almost two years ago), was penciled to take on journeyman Yuri Lunev in front of his partisan crowd.
Super bantamweights Andrey Bogdanov (11-1-1, 3 KO) and Andrey Kostin (20-16, 6 KOs) still headline this tournament in a bid for a vacant Russian title.