Senchenko Return Eyed For 8/24; Five Title Fights Set

By Alexey Sukachev

The end of August is traditionally a hot time for Donetsk-based Union Boxing Promotions, which is understandable, as there are at least several coinciding events in the city like the Miner’s Day, The City Day and Yuri Ruban’s birthday too (Ruban is the head of UBP). This time August 24 was selected as the It-day.

In the main event, WBA #1 super middleweight and interim titleholder Stas Kashtanov (30-1, 16 KOs) puts his title at risk against Costa-Rican WBA #15 veteran Jaime Barboza (18-8, 7 KOs). 35-year old Barboza is just 2-4 in his last six fights (which included an unsuccessful bid at the very same title two years ago) but upset previously undefeated Peruvian Mauricio Reynoso in his ultimate competition in December 2012. Kashtanov, 28, acquired his title in October with a split decision over fellow teammate Server Yemurlayev.

Flyweights will undeniably be the stars of the undercard, as two local 112lbers are being matched tough against dangerously punching Filipino exports. Former Ukrainian Olympian Artem Dalakian (7-0, 5 KOs) defends his WBA International belt against Juan Purisima (11-3-1, 4 KOs), while another unbeaten and WBA #12 Olexander Gryschuk (12-0, 5 KOs) collides with Jason Canoy (16-3-2, 11 KOs) in the first defense of his WBA I/C belt.

Light middleweight Artiom Karpets (18-0, 6 KOs) clashes against Italian Tobia Guiseppe Loriga (27-2-2, 16 KOs) for a vacant WBA I/C light middleweight title. Loriga is best known for his TKO loss to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Hunting down for a title shot is WBA #7 featherweight Oleg Yefimovich (23-2, 12 KOs), who risks his WBA I/C belt against an ever dangerous TBA. Also on the card is 12-0-1, 10 KOs, super bantamweight Olexander Yegorov.

Finally, the star of the night could be another UBP-promoted fighter. Ex-WBA welterweight champion Vyacheslav Senchenko (33-1, 22 KOs), who got his career-lifting win the last Fall, stopping famed Ricky Hatton in November, will also be featured in a non-title ten-round attraction. The 36-year old Ukrainian is rated #11 by the WBA, #12 by the IBF and #13 by the WBC.