The compact Romanian - with the stature of a classical heavyweight but known in the WSB and conventional amateurs for making prey of super heavies, often giving up several inches and in some cases a few dozen kilograms - makes his pro debut Thursday on a Golden Boy on DAZN card. He takes on Mexican butterball Christian Mariscal "Bravo" Centeno, who is 39 years old and one inch shorter than even Nistor himself at 5'10". This content is protected What are our expectations for Joshua's other amateur bogeyman? Does he do as well in the pros as Dillian Whyte? Better? Worse? Can he put his country on the map and, despite being undersized in an era of giants, become its first world champion in the unlimited class? Being its GOAT is a pretty low bar - his only competition is massive disappointment Bogdan Markus Dinu, and Răzvan Andrei Cojanu who decisively topped out at "fringe contender".
Overall his WSB record wasn't that great (10-8) - but, he did beat Italian amateur legend Clemente Russo (whether you love or hate the spoiling bastard, he is that, although still forever in the shadow of the much greater, and less negative Roberto Cammarelle) and is widely considered to have been robbed in his semipro debut against Tony Yoka, losing officially by SD. He is also the only Usyk opponent in WSB to have a) gone the distance and b) not been shut out (as were Joseph Obey Joyce, Magomedrasul Medzhidov, and Junior Fa)
Think the fight against Makhmudov in WSB gave a good idea his ceiling in the pros. Capable of outworking and outhustling most HWs, but will eventually be worn down with the size and strength disarvantage by top heavies. Also Medzhidov(the 3rd AJ boogeyman from the ams) is having his 2nd pro fight this weekend, against Tom Little. Better late than never, I suppose.
Shame he's too much of a stocky brick shit-house for CW, probably outta the question as he typically fought at like 230lbs. Could be in some wild brawls down there, were drain not a concern.
The longer the matches go, the more they usually favor Nistor, due to his work-rate and relentless nature he's going to gas out a lot of guys, late TKO's will probably be pro speciality of his. I've always thought he'd excel as a pro, in spite of his obvious shortcomings, pun intended. Being short actually might play in his favor. So yeah, crazy enough, I think he's going to do fine.
Falls short of the top probably. But it'll be a fun ride if hes matched right. Welcome addition to the division.
I think within his first ten he should target both Dinu and Cojanu, annihilate them and become at the very least a domestic superstar. Then go try and conquer the world (or at least grab an International silver trinket or something)
Hell, I think he could take them in a second and third match. 29 isn't that old, but why mess around.
What about Bejenaru? He sort of has been straddling cruiser and heavy since turning pro. Could he get much done @ the latter? ... threaten Nistor?
Honestly, while I would never condone a pro debut preempting any kind of title fight, even a domestic/regional one (in this case the NABF middleweight title) - if GBP were to swap this in as the co-main event instead of Ballard vs. Falcão, it wouldn't upset me all that much. Ah, what am I saying, I'm probably going to watch the whole stupid undercard anyway. Even the vomitous Jason Quigley (who actually makes Falcão seem fun and interesting to watch).
He's got major Arsen Goulamirian problems in a few weeks. But after The Ghoul gets done with him and leaves him in tatters, Nistor can feast on the remains.
