BoxRec

Russian boxer Magomed Kurbanov is scheduled to return to the ring on May 5 in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

And the potential opponent in the other corner is none other than former world champion Antonio Margarito of Mexico, according to the director of the promotional company RCC Boxing Promotion Alexei Titov.

"On May 5, for the opening of the Academy, we are preparing a big event and we're trying to negotiate with Margarito [for a fight against Kurbanov]," Titov said.

Margarito, 39 years old, resumed his career in 2016 after a five-year hiatus.

At various times, he owned the WBO titles, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) at welterweight. All in all, he has 41 wins (27 by KO) and eight defeats.

Kurbanov was in action three times last year, with three solid wins and two of them by knockout.

never seen kurbanov. from his record seems like a solid prospect, though the seemingly tough fight with very limited horvath stands out a bit in a negative way.

still, margarito looks very depelted. anyone see him vs jones. total hometown bs. away from home any his chances of losing go way up.

I'm switching parties on this one and rooting for the Russian.

this is the russian with mayweathers, hopkins, and alis name tattooed on his ribs. funny thing is that from reports ive read kurbanov is an opposite to them. more of an agressive inside/mid range fighter. will be a brawl with marg id figure.

Margarito gets stopped.

If the fight takes place in Russia then Kurbanov is already going to win if the fight goes the distance. The only times he hasn't stopped his opponents is when they seem have an experience advantage over him as could be the case in this fight.

Taking unanimous decision wins over Evchenko (4th fight vs opponents 20th fight), Laurente (9th fight vs opponents 63rd fight) and against Horvath (12th fight vs opponents 23rd). Margarito would be coming into his 50th fight and having that spectre of nearing retirement hanging over him would mean he'd be cautious, probably would be looking to drag out the fight and wait for an opportunity to win with a sudden KO instead of taking the fight to the younger and more aggressive boxer.
If that chance ever came when faced with someone who would be willing and more then able to take shots while giving them back in return and pushing in while looking for the finish himself is another matter in itself though.
Smart bet would be for Kurbanov to Win by TKO or retirement between rounds before the end of the fight if not KO in the early rounds.