By Alexey Sukachev

Russian and WBC Baltic welterweight champion David Avanesyan (16-1-1, 9 KOs) looks to continue his rise in the ranks on April 18 in Krasnodar, Russia. Being one of headliners of the local card, labeled “Invincibles”, Avanesyan, 25, looks to extend his glory against a familiar figure – 34-year old former Sout African and IBO light welterweight champion Kaizer “The Animal” Mabuza (25-10-3, 15 KOs)

Avanesyan sports a nice record in 2013, going 4-0-1, with 4 KOs, the single blemish being a close draw with undefeated fellow prospect Aslanbek Kozaev. The Russian-based Armenian looked spectacular in finishing off Argentinean import Carlos Leonardo Herrera in one of the most brutal knockouts of the year.

Mabuza’s career was a high-low rollercoaster ever since his upset win over Ukrainian Sergey Fedchenko in September 2009. He followed it up with the biggest win of his career – the sixth-round stoppage of ex-WBO champion Kendall Holt. That victory brought him his long-awaited title shot – on that he has lost to famed champion Zab Judah via the seventh-round kayo. Mabuza won his IBO belt against Australian Steve Wills only to lose it to Khabib Allakhverdiev three months later. In his latest fight Mabuza was outboxed with wide margins by Namibian Bethuel Ushona.