BoxRec

WBC Eliminator Pushed Back to August 22

The scheduled high stakes match between Russian fighters Ruslan Fayfer and Alexey Papin has been relocated from Sochi to Kazan, with a new event date of August 22. The final decision was confirmed to TASS by the press service of the Russian Boxing Federation.

The change was made due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the Sochi region.

"The show will take place on August 22 in Kazan. This event was supposed to take place on August 15 in Sochi, but due to the changed epidemic situation in the Krasnodar territory, the Russian Boxing Federation decided to postpone the event," the message says.

The winner of the Fayfer-Papin fight will be the mandatory contender for the World Boxing Council (WBC) cruiserweight world title.

On the official record of that 29-year-old Fayfer, are 25 wins (16 by KO), and 1 defeat. The 32-year-old Papin has a record of 11 wins (10 by knockout), and 1 defeat.

A decent matchup. Quite evenly matched fighters. Gotta be competetive. Slightly favor Papin.

Fight Week

Gassiev, Hryunov, Troyanovsky Speak On Papin vs. Fayfer

Russia’s biggest post-COVID show takes place this coming Saturday in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan. Atop the huge card, promoted by A Angels and Ratel Pro Fight with the support of the Russian Boxing Federation and under the partnership of StoLotto, is an important cruiserweight match-up between IBF #1, WBC #5 and WBO #6 ranked Ruslan Fayfer (25-1, 16 KOs) and WBC #4 powerhouse Alexey Papin (11-1, 10 KOs) in what is a WBC final eliminator.

In the division, traditionally filled with world-class Russian operators, this fight is yet another solid intrinsic collision with truly international consequences. Fayfer, 29, was there before as he handled fellow cruiserweight world-rated contender Yuri Kashinskiy his first ever professional loss. He has also fought on the world scene, losing a close decision to unbeaten American Andrew Tabiti in the first leg of the WBSS Season 2 quarterfinal.

Papin, 32, a former kickboxing standout, also has valuable elite-level experience, which has also resulted in his sole pro loss. In August 2019, Papin gave hell to future WBC champion Ilunga Makabu before losing a majority decision over twelve rounds on the undercard of Sergey Kovalev vs. Anthony Yarde showdown.

Some top Russian boxing personalities shared their thoughts about the upcoming clash in a string of brief interviews, conducted by the official portal of the Russian Boxing Federation.

Former WBA / IBF cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev: “Those fighters are quite different. Fayfer is more technically sound and works in combinations, while Papin is more powerful and hard-hitting. Speaking about predictions it’s either Alexey rocking his opponent and then overpowering him, or Ruslan boxing his way to the points victory. But I would rather go with Papin on a stoppage win”.

Former IBF / IBO light welterweight champion Eduard Troyanovsky, “If Alexey wants to get [a victory], he should do damage to his opponent. Fayfer is a very difficult, awkward opponent with solid defense, who can force you to box his way”.

Troyanovskiy also paid special tribute to the reigning WBC champion.

“Speaking about the WBC champion, Ilunga Makabu is a very tough and inconvenient opponent. He seems to be taking punches, yet he is always around, responds painfully and starts to overcome his foe. If you are to defeat him, you should be one hundred percent ready both physically and tactically. Slugging with him just ain’t working”.

Promoter Vladimir Hryunov, “I think if Alexey is here to literally fight, he is about to win it. It’s prizefighter’s goal to deal damage. Dealing solid damage he will take advantage and get past Fayfer during the second half of the fight. If it’s a tactical match-up and not a fight, the bout will go to the scorecards, and Fayfer will take one on points. It’s a collision of styles, a really huge event in boxing. The winner takes it all, indeed. A shot at the world title is why one takes this hard route”.

Fayfer Fires Back at Skeptics

“I don’t consider Papin a favorite; those odds are crazy, they are set by those who doesn’t know anything about the prizefighting," said Fayfer. “I’m of a different level than my opponent. My biggest advantage is my technique; I’m more educated in the Sweet Science and more versatile. All in all, nothing bothers me on the eve of the fight.

“After my win over Alexey, my next opponent should be [WBC cruiserweight champion] Ilunga Makabu. If any delay occurs, I’ll be interested in the fight with Dmitry Kudryashov. Dmitry is a popular personality here in Russia, and there’s a demand for such a fight. Still my primary option is Ilunga Makabu”, concluded Fayfer.

Are there any US outlets for this fight?

jujigatame wrote: ↑21 Aug 2020, 12:37 Are there any US outlets for this fight?

No, but it's on Матч Боец (Match TV) in Russia.

There's an official youtube stream, I dunno, if it works in countries except Russia, but here it is:

DrDuke wrote: ↑22 Aug 2020, 13:13 There's an official youtube stream, I dunno, if it works in countries except Russia, but here it is:

Yeh,
It works thanks.

The fight is about to begin.

Fayfer outboxes Pappy pretty easily the first 3 rounds, though Pappy starting to let his hands go more in the 3rd

And in round 6 (or 7?), still getting outboxed but making it closer, Papin puts down Fayfer and stops him with a big overhand right!

Papin lost 5 rounds, he was totally lethargic, then came out smokin' in the 6th and KOed Fayfer.

Wow sounds like a good fight. Maybe Papin vs. Cieslak next? The 2 guys who couldn't beat Makabu?

jujigatame wrote: ↑22 Aug 2020, 18:44 Wow sounds like a good fight.

Well, a better KO than the fight itself.

jujigatame wrote: ↑22 Aug 2020, 18:44 Maybe Papin vs. Cieslak next? The 2 guys who couldn't beat Makabu?

A good option.

Ya, I'd like that matchup

Elsewhere in Russia it looks like Zaur Abdullaev beat the piss out of Pavel Malikov. The result hasn't hit BoxRec yet.

Abdullaev was no match for Haney but he seems like a real solid rising prospect in the division anyway.

He is solid, one of these guys who is actually handy but people only familar with his showing in the US will think he's a scrub. Omar Narvaez , a very crafty and capable boxer , got some of that from his fight vs Donaire

jujigatame wrote: ↑22 Aug 2020, 18:53 Elsewhere in Russia it looks like Zaur Abdullaev beat the piss out of Pavel Malikov. The result hasn't hit BoxRec yet.

Abdullaev was no match for Haney but he seems like a real solid rising prospect in the division anyway.

Oh, yeah, Malikov was beaten badly. 7 damn KDs.

For some reason this result still hasn't been entered into the BoxRec DB even though the fight happened 2 days ago. What's up with that?

jujigatame wrote: ↑24 Aug 2020, 12:35 For some reason this result still hasn't been entered into the BoxRec DB even though the fight happened 2 days ago. What's up with that?

I noticed that earlier today..