Monte-Carlo showdown - 30 November 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and the Casino de Monte-Carlo are delighted to confirm further details of The Monte-Carlo Showdown – an unmissable evening of World Championship boxing taking place in the stunning and unique Monaco setting on Saturday November 30, shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

At the top of the card, undefeated Russian contenders Alexander Besputin (13-0, 9 KOs) and Radzhab Butaev (12-0, 9 KOs) collide for the vacant WBA Welterweight World title in what is a big step up for both men.

Besputin, stablemate of three-division World Champion and pound-for-pound star Vasiliy Lomachenko, was an elite amateur at international level before turning pro in 2015 and earning his No.1 ranking with the WBA by racking up 12 straight wins.

Butaev, ranked No.2 at 147lbs by the WBA, shares an almost identical record as his compatriot and ‘The Python’, also based in the USA, will be aiming to take home the bragging rights as well as his first World title in what is set to be a barn burner.

“This is a long time coming for me,” said Besputin. “I know I belong with the best Welterweights, and November 30 is my opportunity to prove that. I've prepared for this fight my entire boxing life. I had over 300 fights as an amateur and fought the best fighters the world had to offer. I am used to traveling to fight the best, and I look forward to impressing the fans in Monaco."

“I am excited and honoured to be fighting for a World title,” said Butaev. “This is a great opportunity for me, and I will make sure that I do everything to take advantage of it. I have been working towards this moment all of my career and finally it is my time to announce myself to the world."

Vadim Kornilov, manager of Butaev, said: “Radzhab is a very special boxer, he has a lot of potential that has not yet been revealed in previous fights. I believe that this fight will really motivate him to open up and perform at his best!”

In the second World title bout of the night, Norway’s Cecilia Braekhus (35-0, 9 KOs) and Argentina’s Victoria Bustos (19-5) battle it out to become the number one Welterweight on the planet when they clash for the IBF, WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO crowns in a huge undisputed showdown.

"I'm very excited to fight on November 30 in Monte-Carlo and be part of the region's rich history of compelling fights and extraordinary sporting events," said Braekhus. "I'm sure that Victoria Bustos will provide a tough challenge but I have prepared well and look forward to putting on a great performance for my fans in attendance and those watching all over the world."

"For me this is a new and huge opportunity to dispute the World titles against the champ Cecilia Braekhus, an opportunity which fills me with joy and happiness," said Bustos. "To take up this challenge I have moved up one category, making a great job with my whole team. I am well prepared for this fight, I won’t let this chance pass, giving a great show and a great fight.

"This fight will be dedicated to all the boxing fans around the world who love this sport and support female boxing. I am thankful to everyone who always supports me, especially my family and my dad who is still present in my corner even though he is physically absent."

China’s unbeaten Heavyweight star Zhilei Zhang (20-0, 16 KOs) returns to the ring to take on Russia’s Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) in an explosive match-up. Zhang was last seen knocking out Don Haynesworth to claim the WBO Oriental title in September 2018 while Kuzmin tasted defeat for the first time in his pro career last time out at the hands of Michael Hunter.

“I’m very excited to be fighting in Monaco on the Matchroom Boxing card on November 30," said Zhang. "It’s always been my dream to chase greatness and make the world aware that the Chinese Heavyweight is coming to do damage. I have been preparing and training hard for whoever they put in front of me. The Heavyweight division is wide open now and I’m here to make my presence known.”

“I've been telling the boxing world and media for several years that someday Zhilei Zhang will be in the World Heavyweight Championship mix, and I honestly believe he can win it," said Zhang's promoter Dino Duva of Roc Nation Sports. "But, first things first – on November 30, Zhilei needs to deliver the real goods against a world class Heavyweight like Sergey Kuzmin, and I believe he will do it in a way that opens everyone's eyes.

"After that, his historic journey to the World Heavyweight Championship will be in full force. I want to thank my good friends and partners at Matchroom Boxing - Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith and the team for giving us this opportunity. I look forward to doing great things together for Zhang Zhilei in his quest for Heavyweight history.”

"This is an important event for me," said Kuzmin. "I took this fight as soon as it was offered to me, I know that if I want to grow and become better, I have to fight the best. My opponent has an extensive amateur background and experience, he is sensitive, but no the quickest boxer. We have started training camp and are preparing hard to win this fight."

"I'm delighted that Sergey will return to the ring this year," said Andrey Ryabinski from World of Boxing. "This is great news for all of his fans and for Sergey as well! Yes, Sergey lost to Michael Hunter, he is a very good opponent, but this is boxing. Sergey has made certain conclusions and is preparing to come back to the ring right away. I think that all mistakes will be corrected. Sergey will return to his victorious route!"

Former World title challenger Hughie Fury (23-3, 13 KOs) aims to bounce back from his defeat to Alexander Povetkin and propel his name into the thriving Heavyweight scene. The 25-year-old has already mixed it with some of the biggest names in the division and will hope to end the year on a high as he targets more titles in 2020.

"I'm delighted to know I’ve got this date so soon after my last fight with Povetkin,” said Fury. “I feel I’ve much more to give and want to keep active and improving my game. Monaco holds a special place for me as I’ve more or less spent a lot of my younger years growing up there. My parents lived there and we have had many training camps there over the years, so it's really nice to be fighting on such a high class show.

"The fans will see a hungry fighter, and no matter what adversity comes my way I will keep pressing as I know all of the fighters out there are not above me. It’s what I’m doing wrong myself. There are no excuses, I’m back and ready to achieve my main ambitions in life. I hope this opportunity will put me straight back in the mix for another top fight, and Eddie and my team will be the judge of that after my fight."

Rising talent Joe Cordina (10-0, 7 KOs) is quickly establishing himself as one of the hottest prospects in British boxing and ‘The Welsh wizard’ will have to be at his best when he meets dangerous Mexican Enrico Tinoco (18-5-4, 13 KOs) for the WBA Continental Super-Featherweight title.

"I am grateful for this opportunity," said Tinoco. "I have a great team behind me and we are training very hard. I am motivated and ready to capture the WBA title in a different weight class. I also would like to thank Matchroom Boxing, Joe Cordina and his team for taking this fight.

"Cordina is a great fighter with a tremendous amateur career. However, all that does not matter to me, I am going to Monaco to put on a Mexican style fight for all the fans and everyone watching on DAZN. I want to prove that my win against Jordan Gill wasn't a one off. I know that winning this fight will put me in a position closer to my dream to fight for a World title."

“I’m delighted to be back in the beautiful Monte-Carlo Casino for another year of World Championship Boxing,” said Eddie Hearn. “This is by far the strongest card we have bought to the principality with a brilliant 147lb matchup between Russia’s Alexander Besputin and Radzhab Butaev which can only be an all-out battle. The big boys battle it out when unbeaten Chinese Heavyweight Zhilei Zhangtakes on Russia’s Sergey Kuzmin and Britain’s Hughie Fury returns to action.

“Women’s pound-for-pound star and undisputed World Champion Cecilia Braekhus defends her World titles against mandatory challenger Victoria Bustos and brilliant Welshman Joe Cordina drops down a division to challenge Enrico Tinoco for the vacant WBA International Super-Featherweight crown. It’s set to be a night of glitz, glamour, guts and glory in the magnificent Monaco setting.”

“Le Casino de Monte-Carlo and The Monte-Carlo Showdown are a perfect alliance," affirms Mr. Pascal Camia, Executive Vice President, Gaming Operations. "Just as the exclusive events we host along the year which highlight the great art of gaming, the Monte-Carlo Boxing Showdown creates a unique experience in an iconic decor and as per the strategy of our Chairman and CEO, Mr. Jean-Luc Biamonti, gives energy and dynamism to all of our gaming rooms."

[jameswilson]

I don’t mind the line up so far.

Think I heard Hearn say the Azeri fighter who stopped AJ in the Worlds finals will fight Tom little here too.

[3132DW]

I don’t mind the line up so far.

Think I heard Hearn say the Azeri fighter who stopped AJ in the Worlds finals will fight Tom little here too.

Think that might be going on AJ card now.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[jameswilson]

I don’t mind the line up so far.

Think I heard Hearn say the Azeri fighter who stopped AJ in the Worlds finals will fight Tom little here too.

Think that might be going on AJ card now.

I don’t see why he can’t fight on both cards. No reason he can’t end the year 3-0.

[margaret thatcher]

I hope Butaev gets pummeled for that lame ass wig

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kuzmin Injured; Zhilei Zhang Needs New Foe For 11/30

Zhilei Zhang needs a new opponent for his November 30fight in Monte Carlo.

Boxing Scene has learned that Sergey Kuzmin has withdrawn from his scheduled 10-rounder against the huge Chinese heavyweight due to a foot injury. Russia’s Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) was supposed to provide the toughest test of the 2008 Olympic silver medalist’s professional career in a bout DAZN was to stream from Casino de Monte Carlo.

Roc Nation Sports’ Dino Duva told BS.com on Thursday that matchmakers for Matchroom Boxing, Zhang’s co-promoter, were working to secure a replacement for Kuzmin. Zhang is scheduled to leave the United States for Monte Carlo on Sunday.

“We’re disappointed about Kuzmin’s injury because Kuzmin is a ranked heavyweight,” Duva said. “This would’ve been a good fight for Zhilei to prove himself. But there are three or four possible opponents that we’re looking at. We should have a new opponent soon. We’re optimistic that he’ll fight the type of opponent that’ll allow him to get back into the ratings.”

Kuzmin, 32, lost his last fight to American Michael Hunter (18-1, 12 KOs), who won a 12-round unanimous decision against Kuzmin on September 13 in The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The 36-year-old Zhang (20-0, 16 KOs) hasn’t fought since September 2018, in large part due to a visa issues that kept the strong southpaw out of the U.S. Zhang trains in Paterson, New Jersey, along with former Olympic teammate Fanlong Meng (16-0, 10 KOs), the mandatory challenger for Artur Beterbiev’s IBF light heavyweight title.

The 6-feet-6, 260-pound Zhang returned to New Jersey late in August and resumed his partnership with trainer Shaun George.

Zhang was ranked by the WBO before his long layoff. He had hoped to get a shot at since-dethroned IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO champion Anthony Joshua, who defeated Zhang on points at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

[cormack]

[Pukka Cheese]

Kuzmin Injured; Zhilei Zhang Needs New Foe For 11/30

Bakole?

[margaret thatcher]

Bakole makes the most sense doesn't he

[Pukka Cheese]

Bakole makes the most sense doesn't he

Hopefully he hasn't returned to the Congo for Christmas yet...

Cant see anyone else fighting a tall southpaw at such short notice..

[samwbr]

These shows must be horrendous for the fighters, all the atmosphere of a mortuary.

[handsofstone]

Ive never heard of Butaev or Besputin and looking through their records I'm not surprised, neither have faced anyone of note that I can see off, in saying that both have only had a dozen or so fights so I'm not criticising and all fairness this is only for the Snide version of the WBA belt so its not a title fight


Both can bang by the looks of thing, both Russian, both unbeaten and lefty vs righty so lets hope for a good scrap, they Ruskis are usually tough as nails

Downer that Kuzmin pulled out

[Ruthless-RKO]

MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN

Le Samedi 30 Novembre 2019 à 18h00

Salle G.Médecin Casino de Monte-Carlo
Place du Casino
98000 - MONACO

Tickets:
Select your category

Catégorie 2: 402,50€

Catégorie 1: 602,50€

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fury heavier for fight in Monaco but will that result in a more powerful punch?

The younger cousin of Tyson Fury weighed-in at 16st 10lbs on Friday, 10lbs heavier than prior to his decision loss to Povetkin. His opponent Sour was 17st 2lbs.


Fury promised he has "fixed the problems" that led to defeats to Joseph Parker, Kubrat Pulev and Povetkin and, aged just 25, still has plenty of time to make a statement in the division where Anthony Joshua faces Andy Ruiz Jr next Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

[margaret thatcher]

Hughie Fury, 15 years from now at 40

= well, he's still just a baby and lots of time to improve

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hughie Fury, 15 years from now at 40

= well, he's still just a baby and lots of time to improve

HW's can go to 40 easy.. He's at what, 3 losses now... Let's see how many losses he has by time he's 30..

[margaret thatcher]

I'd be more convinced by the whole 'he's just a wee baby' stuff if he'd actually shown the slightest improvement. But, nah, hasn't happened. Plus the thing with starting so young, is you're putting more miles on the clock at a younger age anyway.

Besides, Hughie already looked 35 at 20

[handsofstone]

Hughie will stink the joint out, standard practice but i quite like this card, some good fights IMO, Besputin vs Butaev looks a cracker on paper and Cordina against the fella who KO'd Gill, Tinnoco is it?

[Nightmare Roy]

Looks like an amazing venue, anyone know what ticket prices start at for something like this?

[3132DW]

Hughie will stink the joint out, standard practice but i quite like this card, some good fights IMO, Besputin vs Butaev looks a cracker on paper and Cordina against the fella who KO'd Gill, Tinnoco is it?

Yeah this will test Cordina coming down in weight - Tinoco is tough guy - Haney beat him on points and I know Gill was ill but he swarmed all over him so will be good test of how much Córdina wants it when going gets tough.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hughie will stink the joint out, standard practice but i quite like this card, some good fights IMO, Besputin vs Butaev looks a cracker on paper and Cordina against the fella who KO'd Gill, Tinnoco is it?

Yeh was him

[Ruthless-RKO]

Looks like an amazing venue, anyone know what ticket prices start at for something like this?

2 prices..

€300 and €600