BoxRec

Press Release

WBA #7 Anatoli Muratov (24-2-1, 17 KOs) replaces Sven Elbir as the opponent for Chris Eubank Jr (30-2, 22 KOs) on October 2 at The SSE Arena, Wembley after Elbir tested positive for Covid-19.

The German-based Kazahk was on standby preparing for his own bout on October 9 when he got the call to step in. The WBA world-ranked number 7 now has a golden opportunity to force his way into World Title contention.

Muratov is a former WBA Intercontinental Middleweight Champion and German Super Middleweight Champion. He is undefeated in his last 17 contests and boasts an impressive KO record with over 60% of his wins coming inside the distance.

The 33-year-old is well-travelled having boxed away from home in Turkey, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary and the United States as well as in his native Germany throughout his 27-fight career.

“This is a fantastic moment for me,” said Muratov. “It will be an honour to fight at The SSE Arena, Wembley and to test my skills against a boxer like Chris Eubank Jr. I’m jumping on this opportunity because that is what warriors do.

Anytime, anyplace, I am ready to fight anyone. I’m looking forward to an exciting fight and a great night of boxing in London. I’m coming to win and I will give it my all.”

“The opponent has changed but my objective remains the same,” says Eubank Jr. “October 2 is my night and nothing is going to stand in my way!”

“First of all, I would like to wish Sven Elbir a speedy recovery,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland. “A change of opponent this close to a fight is never ideal but I know Chris remains focused on what he needs to do on Saturday night.

“Muratov was on standby. He was in the gym preparing for a fight next week when the opportunity came. He is well known in Germany and he is a serious contender. He is ranked number 7 in the world by the WBA and will pose a different set of problems that Chris will need to be ready for.”

"It’s unfortunate for Elbir he has had to withdraw due to Covid, but the change of opponent to the World ranked Muratov will make the fight a more interesting one. Muratov comes into the fight after some impressive wins and is highly of thought of in Germany. He has been in training and is coming in to win,” said BOXXER’s Ben Shalom.

wasserman bring in yet another f@cking opponent ive never heard of

muratov's only opponent i'd heard of was former 40 year old former 130 pounder serghi huliakevich. serg hadnt won a fight in 5 years but still held ant to a draw

https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/630616

It’s like Sky have gone back to 2007. Crap original opponent and awful replacement.

Not good at all. Also he's 155 in the world at Middleweight on boxrec, a very thin division. He's on 5 days notice?

What's the point in this, be better move the other fights up the card.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑27 Sep 2021, 13:52 wasserman bring in yet another f@cking opponent ive never heard of

Well if you ain't heard of him, I'd be surprised if anyone else has.
If he was from South America, given whats happened this year, I would give him a chance of an upset...

Ranked 7 by the WBA on the press release. Didn’t mention ranked 155 by Boxrec at middleweight

My T Sharp wrote: ↑27 Sep 2021, 14:54 Ranked 7 by the WBA on the press release. Didn’t mention ranked 155 by Boxrec at middleweight

I'll take the short notice.

At least we got a still not too bad card.

lol maybe that's the strategy, bring in a sh!tty opponent, have them pull out and replaced by another sh!tty opponent, then it's 'ah, it was on late notice, the replacement is okay i guess'

then just keep mentioning, we know muratov isnt who everyone wanted, but what are you gonna do on late notice

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑28 Sep 2021, 22:23 lol maybe that's the strategy, bring in a sh!tty opponent, have them pull out and replaced by another sh!tty opponent, then it's 'ah, it was on late notice, the replacement is okay i guess'

then just keep mentioning, we know muratov isnt who everyone wanted, but what are you gonna do on late notice

It’s weird because it happens a lot.

Any idea about ticket sales? It's 12,500 capacity

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:41 Any idea about ticket sales? It's 12,500 capacity

Tickets

Boxing fans will be delighted tickets for this event are currently available to purchase via the official BOXXER website at boxxer.com/tickets.

Some tickets are still available to buy, but the event is selling out fast, so make sure to get yours now before it's too late.

Undercard

David Avanesyan vs Liam Taylor - EBU European welterweight title

Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Twardowski - cruiserweight

Mikael Lawal vs unnamed opponent - cruiserweight

Jamal Le Doux vs Germaine Brown - super-middleweight

Ebonie Jones vs Bec Connolly - bantamweight

Joe Pigford vs Isaac Aryee - super-welterweight

Linus Udofia vs Xhuljo Vrenozi - middleweight

Razor Ali vs Stefan Nicolae - super-bantamweight

Harvey Horn vs Santiago San Eusebio - flyweight

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:47

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:41 Any idea about ticket sales? It's 12,500 capacity

Tickets

Boxing fans will be delighted tickets for this event are currently available to purchase via the official BOXXER website at boxxer.com/tickets.

Some tickets are still available to buy, but the event is selling out fast, so make sure to get yours now before it's too late.

Yeah but I wonder how well tickets are actually selling. Their first event of the era but the card is not great

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:48 Undercard

David Avanesyan vs Liam Taylor - EBU European welterweight title

Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Twardowski - cruiserweight

Mikael Lawal vs unnamed opponent - cruiserweight

Jamal Le Doux vs Germaine Brown - super-middleweight

Ebonie Jones vs Bec Connolly - bantamweight

Joe Pigford vs Isaac Aryee - super-welterweight

Linus Udofia vs Xhuljo Vrenozi - middleweight

Razor Ali vs Stefan Nicolae - super-bantamweight

Harvey Horn vs Santiago San Eusebio - flyweight

Is Steven Ward out now too? Lawal Ward was the only competitive fight on the card

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:51

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:47

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:41 Any idea about ticket sales? It's 12,500 capacity

Tickets

Boxing fans will be delighted tickets for this event are currently available to purchase via the official BOXXER website at boxxer.com/tickets.

Some tickets are still available to buy, but the event is selling out fast, so make sure to get yours now before it's too late.

Yeah but I wonder how well tickets are actually selling. Their first event of the era but the card is not great

Check the website, i'm at work, unable to check it. it's blocked.

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:54

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:48 Undercard

David Avanesyan vs Liam Taylor - EBU European welterweight title

Richard Riakporhe vs Krzysztof Twardowski - cruiserweight

Mikael Lawal vs unnamed opponent - cruiserweight

Jamal Le Doux vs Germaine Brown - super-middleweight

Ebonie Jones vs Bec Connolly - bantamweight

Joe Pigford vs Isaac Aryee - super-welterweight

Linus Udofia vs Xhuljo Vrenozi - middleweight

Razor Ali vs Stefan Nicolae - super-bantamweight

Harvey Horn vs Santiago San Eusebio - flyweight

Is Steven Ward out now too? Lawal Ward was the only competitive fight on the card

He's still on boxrec schedule.

Should be a press conference today or tomorrow.

Nice to see Pigford back but i feel hes spent his best years wasted on the side lines.
Not really interested in watching Eubank win in a few rounds and call out GGG.

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:51

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:47

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:41 Any idea about ticket sales? It's 12,500 capacity

Tickets

Boxing fans will be delighted tickets for this event are currently available to purchase via the official BOXXER website at boxxer.com/tickets.

Some tickets are still available to buy, but the event is selling out fast, so make sure to get yours now before it's too late.

Yeah but I wonder how well tickets are actually selling. Their first event of the era but the card is not great

My concern for Boxxer on this is that they’re throwing most of their fighters at this show and it’s still not particularly good. I’ll watch Avanesyan fight a paper towel so I’m sure I’ll still watch but it’s a mediocre start I think.

Has the Lawal/Ward fight been cancelled? That’s the one I’m looking forward to.

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:51

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:47

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:41 Any idea about ticket sales? It's 12,500 capacity

Tickets

Boxing fans will be delighted tickets for this event are currently available to purchase via the official BOXXER website at boxxer.com/tickets.

Some tickets are still available to buy, but the event is selling out fast, so make sure to get yours now before it's too late.

Yeah but I wonder how well tickets are actually selling. Their first event of the era but the card is not great

I don’t think it’ll be set up for the full capacity.

maverick23 wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 15:47

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:51

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:47

Tickets

Boxing fans will be delighted tickets for this event are currently available to purchase via the official BOXXER website at boxxer.com/tickets.

Some tickets are still available to buy, but the event is selling out fast, so make sure to get yours now before it's too late.

Yeah but I wonder how well tickets are actually selling. Their first event of the era but the card is not great

My concern for Boxxer on this is that they’re throwing most of their fighters at this show and it’s still not particularly good. I’ll watch Avanesyan fight a paper towel so I’m sure I’ll still watch but it’s a mediocre start I think.

Has the Lawal/Ward fight been cancelled? That’s the one I’m looking forward to.

Not as far as I can tell re Ward Lawal

Yeah I agree, this is a better show than the other 2 planned which doesn't say much. The Newcastle one is fairly weak.

I would have thought the first two shows could even struggle with tickets in bigger arenas. Would Eubank in a tune up sell tickets? Hughie Fury likely wouldn't either, is there any big ticket sellers in their stables?

maverick23 wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 15:48

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:51

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:47

Tickets

Boxing fans will be delighted tickets for this event are currently available to purchase via the official BOXXER website at boxxer.com/tickets.

Some tickets are still available to buy, but the event is selling out fast, so make sure to get yours now before it's too late.

Yeah but I wonder how well tickets are actually selling. Their first event of the era but the card is not great

I don’t think it’ll be set up for the full capacity.

Ah fair enough, their first big show in a half empty arena wouldn't be great. I'll give them a chance obviously but by show 5 we'll have a fair idea.

You'd wonder is Eubanks big name fight in December going to be the likes of Kell Brook. Brook Khan gone very quiet and it's nearly October.

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 15:58

maverick23 wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 15:48

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 08:51

Yeah but I wonder how well tickets are actually selling. Their first event of the era but the card is not great

I don’t think it’ll be set up for the full capacity.

Ah fair enough, their first big show in a half empty arena wouldn't be great. I'll give them a chance obviously but by show 5 we'll have a fair idea.

You'd wonder is Eubanks big name fight in December going to be the likes of Kell Brook. Brook Khan gone very quiet and it's nearly October.

Who knows pal. It was only 9 months ago when Eubank Jr was saying Brook and Liam Williams would be warm up fights. He then fights Marcus Morrison and this guy at the weekend.

I actually think it’s more likely he fights Liam Williams next as Frank’s gone very quiet about him.

maverick23 wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 16:42

peter barlow wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 15:58

maverick23 wrote: ↑29 Sep 2021, 15:48

I don’t think it’ll be set up for the full capacity.

Ah fair enough, their first big show in a half empty arena wouldn't be great. I'll give them a chance obviously but by show 5 we'll have a fair idea.

You'd wonder is Eubanks big name fight in December going to be the likes of Kell Brook. Brook Khan gone very quiet and it's nearly October.

Who knows pal. It was only 9 months ago when Eubank Jr was saying Brook and Liam Williams would be warm up fights. He then fights Marcus Morrison and this guy at the weekend.

I actually think it’s more likely he fights Liam Williams next as Frank’s gone very quiet about him.

I'd quite like that Liam Williams fight, not sure it's a PPV fight though if that's the plan.