News reached The Ring that heavyweight contender Arslanbek Makhmudov will return to action against an as yet unknown opponent at the Centre Gervais Auto in Shawinigan, Canada, on December 16.
Makhmudov will headline an Eye of the Tiger event on ESPN+ in the U.S. and the card will also be broadcast live on punchinggrace.com.
The 33-year-old Makhmudov was the Russian national champion in his age group (19-22) in 2010 and the No. 1-rated super heavyweight in the World Series of Boxing in 2014-2015.
Since turning professional in 2017, Makhmudov has stopped 10 opponents in the opening round and he has a formidable reputation as a result. The big Russian owns a win over former WBC heavyweight titleholder Samuel Peter (TKO 1), as well as solid victories over former title challengers Mariusz Wach (KO 6) and Carlos Takam (UD 10). The September win over Takam took Makhmudov’s record to 15-0 (14 KOs).
Makhmudov will be joined on the card by hard-hitting heavyweight Simon Kean, middleweight contender Steven Butler, and junior middleweight star Mary Spencer.
Kean is coming off a bizarre fight, in September, which saw opponent Newfel Ouatah take a knee at the opening bell and refuse to compete.
A week later, Butler continued to rebuild his career by scoring a highly impressive second-round stoppage over Mark DeLuca in an NABF title defense.
Spencer will be having her sixth fight of a busy year and is looking to force a world title opportunity in early 2023.
Their opponents will be announced in due course.
Last edited by Ruthless-RKO on 13 Dec 2022, 06:24, edited 7 times in total.
He's on the same card as Simon Kean. They're probably in a position where they should be facing each other right now, however, a step up from Takam, that isn't over 39 (see last 5/6 opponents), would be more ideal.
I agree, it was more just to face off against someone that would be a very easy fight to make and will likely be made at some point if the promoters get their wish.
I agree, it was more just to face off against someone that would be a very easy fight to make and will likely be made at some point if the promoters get their wish.
Press Release | Arslanbek Makhmudov, Simon Kean, Mary Spencer Back on December 16
On December 16, Eye of the Tiger will take Shawinigan by storm, with several of their headliners coming together. The end-of-year fireworks, presented by EOTTM in association with the Cataractes de Shawinigan at the Centre Gervais Auto, will feature Arslanbek Makhmudov, Simon Kean, Steven Butler, Mary Spencer, Thomas Chabot, Leila Beaudoin and Alexandre Gaumont, and will be simulcast on Punching Grace, and on ESPN+ in the United States.
“This is a dream come true for us, and the event on December 16 will go down in the region’s history,” adds Roger Lavergne, president of the Shawinigan Cataractes. “Bringing professional boxing back to Shawinigan is already a big deal, but having an event of this magnitude, where top-caliber athletes will be defending their titles, live on American TV, is definitely a hat trick!”
As 2022 comes to a close, EOTTM wants to finish strong by treating the local boxing fans and the choice of Shawinigan as host city was a no-brainer for the Montreal organization.
“Over the years, Shawinigan has really become a second home to Eye of the Tiger, and a necessary stepping stone for all Quebec boxers. It’s been the stage for thrilling fights that have given us some of the most memorable moments in our history. That was our goal when we decided to partner with the Cataractes, and now we’re proud to enhance the city’s international recognition through the December 16 event,” says EOTTM president Camille Estephan.
Michel Angers, mayor of Shawinigan, also highlights the positive aspects of the event for his city.
“We are proud to host a sixth international boxing event right here in our city. The event will propel Shawinigan into the limelight, and we are more than ready to partner other large-scale events like this one,” he adds.
The opponents who will be confronting the EOTTM athletes have yet to be announced, but boxing fans have every right to be on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the upcoming card, which will be a round-up of explosive and powerful boxers.
Currently ranked fourth in the world WBC ranking, and heavyweight titleholder in the WBC Silver, the NABA and the NABF rankings, Makhmudov (15-0, 14 KOs) is knocking on the door of a world championship bout. The EOTTM protégé will have no margin of error and will have to deliver a flawless performance in order to hold on to his claim to the heavyweight title.
Trois-Rivières native Kean (21-1, 20 KOs) has impressed many a local fan with his boxing prowess, including in his clashes against Adam Braidwood and Dillon Carman.
Butler (31-3-1, 26 KOs), whose devastating power punches have earned him the nickname “Bang Bang”, will be back in the ring following his stellar defense of his NABF middleweight belt against southpaw Mark DeLuca.
WBA International and WBC Silver titleholder Spencer (7-0, 5 KOs) has been electrifying her fans with a series of decisive victories that have allowed her to shoot up the rankings since her pro debut. After only seven fights, she is already ranked #1 in the world rankings of the IBF, the WBA and the WBC.
Chabot (7-0, 7 KOs), Beaudoin (7-0, 1 KO) and Gaumont (4-0, 2 KOs) are also on the card against opponents to be determined.
He made an offer to dave allen. Which dave says he nearly took, but got talked out of it by his dad due to him not really being in shape right now and not enough notice to get in shape...Interestingly Justice huni also made an offer to dave allen...
-Mak is 33, 15 pro fights plus 15 WSB fights (basicaly a pro fight)...
-Huni is 23, 6 pro fights, 0 WSB fights....
Should they both be asking for the same opponent.... probably not.
gregregegg wrote: ↑21 Oct 2022, 02:39
He made an offer to dave allen. Which dave says he nearly took, but got talked out of it by his dad due to him not really being in shape right now and not enough notice to get in shape...Interestingly Justice huni also made an offer to dave allen...
-Mak is 33, 15 pro fights plus 15 WSB fights (basicaly a pro fight)...
-Huni is 23, 6 pro fights, 0 WSB fights....
Should they both be asking for the same opponent.... probably not.
Allen shouldn't take either of those fights for his health.
Boxing fans in the Mauricie region will be treated to a true clash of punchers in the finale of the December 16 gala at Shawinigan’s Centre Gervais Auto, when Arslanbek Makhmudov (15-0, 14 KOs) will defend his NABF and NABA belts against imposing Nigerian boxer Raphael Akpejiori (14-0, 13 KOs).
The event, which will also feature Simon Kean and Steven Butler, as well as Mary Spencer in her IBO super middleweight world championship fight against Femke Hermans, will be simulcast at 7:00 pm on the Punching Grace network, as well as on ESPN+ in the United States.
Makhmudov (15-0, 14 KOs), who is “NABF Champion of the Year”, 4th in the WBC, and NABF and NABA heavyweight titleholder, won the WBC Silver against Carlos Takam on September 16 in a fight that showcased his ability to hold a steady pace for 10 rounds.
On December 16, he’ll face off against an adversary who is every bit as powerful and physically imposing as he is.
Towering over most fighters at 6’8”, Akpejiori (14-0, 13 KOs) immigrated to the United States on a basketball scholarship. He later turned to football and made the Miami Dolphins’ rookie training camp. An outstanding athlete, Akpejiori boasts impressive physical skills, including excellent coordination, remarkable reach, and imposing punching power, making him as feared and respected as the EOTTM protégé. Akpejiori’s m.o. is to deliver a KO within the first two round.
“On December 16, we’ll get to see two prospects who are at the same stage in their career: two aggressive boxers each with a 92% KO record. This will be an interesting challenge for Arslanbek, and guaranteed fireworks for the boxing fans who will be there,” explained EOTTM development director and Makhmudov’s trainer, Marc Ramsay.
On the undercard, Steven Butler (31-3-1, 26 KOs) will try to continue his winning streak when he defends his NABF title against Joshua Conley (17-4-1, 11 KOs). Simon "The Grizzly" Kean (21-1, 20 KOs) will star in his first fight on ESPN+ following his co-promotion agreement with Top Rank. Buckingham native Alexandre Gaumont (5-0, 3 KOs), who recently delivered a decisive 1st-ound knockout, will also be featured on the card. And, last but not least, Thomas Chabot (7-0, 7 KOs), Leïla Beaudoin (7-0, 1 KOs) and Luis Santana (7-0, 2 KOs) will also be in action.
Raphael Akpejiori is not a weak opponent. He's the size of Tyson Fury and a huge puncher, with a lot of first round KOs. Like Makhmudov, he's been avoided.
This is a high-risk, low-reward fight for Makhmudov, who has world-class power but isn't difficult to hit.
Perkin Warbeck wrote: ↑02 Nov 2022, 12:54
Raphael Akpejiori is not a weak opponent. He's the size of Tyson Fury and a huge puncher, with a lot of first round KOs. Like Makhmudov, he's been avoided.
He was one of the boxers who AJ was being linked to fight in Nigeria.. .
A fun fight, two can-crushers. Although Akpejiori crushed only the utter sh1thouses, while Makhmudov was able to defeat some faded ex-contenders. Akpe can be another Chris Lovejoy or Trevor Bryan. Mak is clearly above that level. I guess, Mak will score a fast KO.
DrDuke wrote: ↑03 Nov 2022, 01:58
A fun fight, two can-crushers. Although Akpejiori crushed only the utter sh1thouses, while Makhmudov was able to defeat some faded ex-contenders. Akpe can be another Chris Lovejoy or Trevor Bryan. Mak is clearly above that level. I guess, Mak will score a fast KO.
i think same....
Mak vs kuban Flash ..... right matchup for this stage
