PLEASE CHANGE
PLEASE CHANGE
Yuriy Nuzhnenko's opponent next Saturday for the WBA interim welterweight title will be Irving García from Puerto Rico, as announced by fight news, as Cosme Rivera had been tested positive last Wednesday, this decision was made Saturday.
Last edited by claudevsq on 16 Apr 2008, 09:23, edited 1 time in total.
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jomothepure
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 2660
- Joined: 24 Oct 2004, 08:43
After more than sixteen years since claiming its independence, the waiting is finally over for Ukraine. Recently created K2 East promotional group (K2 and former National Box Promotions mutual project) presents a historical event on Saturday, April 19, when unbeaten WBA interim welterweight beltholder Yuri Nuzhnenko will become the first fighter from Ukraine to put his regalia at stake in front of the home crowd in the first ever title fight in Ukrainian boxing history. The show will be held at Sports Palace in Kiev, state’s capital and its largest city.
Nuzhnenko (27-0, 13 KOs), 31, faces little-known Puerto-Rican Irving Garcia (16-3-1, 8 KOs), who is currently ranked #15 by the World Boxing Association, in an optional defense of his title. Nuzhnenko, a pro since 2000, acquired his belt last December with a close but unanimous victory over Frenchman Frederic Klose on his foe’s turf. Despite a solid record Yuri is relatively untested on the highest level as he has never met any former champions or title challengers inside the ring.
Garcia, two years his younger, is an experienced competitor, who started his career in 1998. He is a former Puerto-Rican light middleweight and WBC Latino welterweight titlist but despite fighting over ten years as a pro, Irving’s ledger consists of only 20 fights (7 less than in Yuri’s record); the majority of these bouts were against a non-descript opposition. Garcia is 2-0 since losing by second-round TKO in his initial step-up competition versus Said Ouali a year ago.
Both pugilists will be presented to public and media on Wednesday during an open workout.
Garcia isn’t an original opponent for Yuri. Nuzhnenko was first slated to face hard-nosed Mexican veteran Cosme ‘El Chino’ Rivera (31-11-2, 22 KOs), by far more accomplished fighter than Garcia, who was stopped only once in his eleven losses and that was against than undisputed welterweight king Zab Judah. Rivera possesses victories over such notables as James Hare and Hercules Kyvelos, and he also floored young stars-in-making Andre Berto and Joel Jair Julio though losing them on points.
“Cosme is really a tough guy. He is tall, long-armed, awkward and extremely experienced so that I realize this fight will definitely be no walk in the park for me. Having said that, I want to ensure everybody that I’m hundred percent ready for the bout and see nothing except of my convincing victory over Mexican. I will be glad if the fight ends prematurely but I don’t mind clinching a win on points as well”, said Nuzhnenko a few days ago. ‘El Chino’ would have been his toughest career test but…
He was tested positive on undeclared illegal substance after his recent win over former Columbian Olympian Raul Pinzon this February. The Mexican’s probe was revealed on Wednesday and after a few days of confusion a decision was made to replace Rivera with Garcia, who is a newcomer in recent WBA March rankings, and to arrange a title match with the latter.
“Certainly, I’m disappointed with this change”, commented Nuzhnenko. “However, I’m totally focused on the new opponent and ready to deliver my A game next Saturday night. Garcia is a seasoned opponent. He is a usual Puerto Rican pugilist, durable and technically competent”.
Nuzhnenko (27-0, 13 KOs), 31, faces little-known Puerto-Rican Irving Garcia (16-3-1, 8 KOs), who is currently ranked #15 by the World Boxing Association, in an optional defense of his title. Nuzhnenko, a pro since 2000, acquired his belt last December with a close but unanimous victory over Frenchman Frederic Klose on his foe’s turf. Despite a solid record Yuri is relatively untested on the highest level as he has never met any former champions or title challengers inside the ring.
Garcia, two years his younger, is an experienced competitor, who started his career in 1998. He is a former Puerto-Rican light middleweight and WBC Latino welterweight titlist but despite fighting over ten years as a pro, Irving’s ledger consists of only 20 fights (7 less than in Yuri’s record); the majority of these bouts were against a non-descript opposition. Garcia is 2-0 since losing by second-round TKO in his initial step-up competition versus Said Ouali a year ago.
Both pugilists will be presented to public and media on Wednesday during an open workout.
Garcia isn’t an original opponent for Yuri. Nuzhnenko was first slated to face hard-nosed Mexican veteran Cosme ‘El Chino’ Rivera (31-11-2, 22 KOs), by far more accomplished fighter than Garcia, who was stopped only once in his eleven losses and that was against than undisputed welterweight king Zab Judah. Rivera possesses victories over such notables as James Hare and Hercules Kyvelos, and he also floored young stars-in-making Andre Berto and Joel Jair Julio though losing them on points.
“Cosme is really a tough guy. He is tall, long-armed, awkward and extremely experienced so that I realize this fight will definitely be no walk in the park for me. Having said that, I want to ensure everybody that I’m hundred percent ready for the bout and see nothing except of my convincing victory over Mexican. I will be glad if the fight ends prematurely but I don’t mind clinching a win on points as well”, said Nuzhnenko a few days ago. ‘El Chino’ would have been his toughest career test but…
He was tested positive on undeclared illegal substance after his recent win over former Columbian Olympian Raul Pinzon this February. The Mexican’s probe was revealed on Wednesday and after a few days of confusion a decision was made to replace Rivera with Garcia, who is a newcomer in recent WBA March rankings, and to arrange a title match with the latter.
“Certainly, I’m disappointed with this change”, commented Nuzhnenko. “However, I’m totally focused on the new opponent and ready to deliver my A game next Saturday night. Garcia is a seasoned opponent. He is a usual Puerto Rican pugilist, durable and technically competent”.
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jomothepure
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 2660
- Joined: 24 Oct 2004, 08:43
What a happy coincidenceclaudevsq wrote:You're right, García entered WBA's March welterweight rankings as number 15.jomothepure wrote:That is utterly farcical. Presumably he's the WBA's #15 special? Not that we know of course, since the WBA doesn't bother to publish rankings until their two months out of date.
