10-25-2023, 04:58 PM
Boxing: Andrei Mikhailovich locked in for pre-Christmas IBF world title eliminator in UK
Clay Wilson
A world title elimination fight is finally locked in for Andrei Mikhailovich.
After a prolonged negotiation period, the undefeated Kiwi middleweight out of Auckland’s Peach Boxing stable has been confirmed for a December 16 bout against Germany’s Denis Radovan in the UK.
Mikhailovich is ranked fourth with the IBF, with a potential victory over third-ranked Radovan earning him a fight for the organisation’s world title against unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan.
Also ranked seventh with the WBO, the 25-year-old New Zealander took his pro record to 20-0 in April with a fifth-round knockout of Venezuela’s Edisson Saltarin in Auckland.
Mikhailovich’s promoter Dean Lonergan, of D&L Events, told the Herald earlier this month he was excited by the prospect of the clash with Radovan.
“Andrei’s like a thoroughbred racehorse who just wants to run and run and run. Isaac Peach has done a big job of keeping him under control, keeping him training hard and I know for a fact he’s training his arse off.
“He really wants this ... we think he’s good enough to win it.”
If he does, it would set up a mighty challenge.
Alimkhanuly, who has already held the WBO title, became a unified champion 10 days ago with a brutal sixth-round knockout of IBF belt-holder Vincenzo Gualtieri in Texas.
The result moved the hard-hitting Kazakh southpaw to 15-0 as a pro, 10 of those coming via knockout.
Mikhailovich’s fight against Radovan is likely to take place in Sunderland, northeast England.
Former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor’s return fight is expected to be the main event, after he lost his WBO and The Ring world titles to Teofimo Lopez earlier this year.
Clay Wilson
A world title elimination fight is finally locked in for Andrei Mikhailovich.
After a prolonged negotiation period, the undefeated Kiwi middleweight out of Auckland’s Peach Boxing stable has been confirmed for a December 16 bout against Germany’s Denis Radovan in the UK.
Mikhailovich is ranked fourth with the IBF, with a potential victory over third-ranked Radovan earning him a fight for the organisation’s world title against unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan.
Also ranked seventh with the WBO, the 25-year-old New Zealander took his pro record to 20-0 in April with a fifth-round knockout of Venezuela’s Edisson Saltarin in Auckland.
Mikhailovich’s promoter Dean Lonergan, of D&L Events, told the Herald earlier this month he was excited by the prospect of the clash with Radovan.
“Andrei’s like a thoroughbred racehorse who just wants to run and run and run. Isaac Peach has done a big job of keeping him under control, keeping him training hard and I know for a fact he’s training his arse off.
“He really wants this ... we think he’s good enough to win it.”
If he does, it would set up a mighty challenge.
Alimkhanuly, who has already held the WBO title, became a unified champion 10 days ago with a brutal sixth-round knockout of IBF belt-holder Vincenzo Gualtieri in Texas.
The result moved the hard-hitting Kazakh southpaw to 15-0 as a pro, 10 of those coming via knockout.
Mikhailovich’s fight against Radovan is likely to take place in Sunderland, northeast England.
Former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor’s return fight is expected to be the main event, after he lost his WBO and The Ring world titles to Teofimo Lopez earlier this year.