The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming...

Usyk and Beterbiev turned pro late though, and they translated their S-tier amateur into S-tier pro careers. Talent-wise, Lomachenko was one of the greats, but he was not S-tier as a pro. If he were, the fights with Haney or Lopez wouldn't have been close. Just like the fight between Shakur and Lopez wasn't close. My point about Surov is that he is clearly an incredible talent and is right at the top of the amateurs at a young age, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will go on to do the same in the pros, and until he does fight in the pros, it's hard to say, as there are plenty who cannot make this leap and become truly elites of their generation in the ams and pros.

 

Fair points. But I will say Lomachenko's optimum weightclasses were Featherweight and Super Featherweight. He looked unbeatable until he moved up to Lightweight.

 

Those promotions deliberately sign crack EE fighters to sabotage their careers in favor of home talent. Good call on Zuffa, they've already put a couple of these dudes on their shows already.

 

I'd be surprised if they got a title shot before they are eligible for social security. Not because they will be avoided, because most of them are in their late 20's early 30's with less than 15 fights. I guess it's some career strategy to stay in the am's until they reach physical maturity or something.

 

I hope Nikita Zon, Shishkin, Islam Salimov, Dzhambulat Bizhamov, Pavel Silyagin, Cheerav Ashalaev they will be one time or some of them each others... (specially the three prospects in Super Middleweight Cheerav Ashalaev, Islam Salimov, Bizhamov). Now based on the Iglesias fight I'm pretty sure Vladimir Shishkin is better than Silyagin, Nikita Zon and Evgeny Shvedenko.


The only Russian who was courageous to do that is Artysh Lopsan... he was not afraid to fight his compatriots Oleg Misiura, Nikita Zon, Pavel Silyagin and Cheerav Ashalaev.

 

My three favorites Russians boxers are Vadim Tukov in Middleweight (looks like a Russian Jaime Munguia), Islam Salimov (definetely the best Russian prospect P4P of the moment in my opinion his punching power is terrifying), Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (underrated and the only name that is not common in Bridgerweight, technically very good and his combinations + ring IQ are impressive, can't wait for see his fight against Vartan Arutyunyan it can be the first classical for the Bridgerweight. Vartan Arutyunyan is a tank he is defensively not impressive and don't have head movement but it's a Iron chin and he have a decent power I will be curious of this opposition of style).

 

Just checked the Gassiev/Yoka card, looks pretty good. With Suslenkov, Khalidov, Yallyev, Egorov against undefeated Dzukaev, IBA amateur champ Ataev against Uczategui and probably future bantamweight champion Rogozin making his pro debut.

Would love to catch it if there's airing.

 

Let's hope Joyce will jump in in his place. Fingers crossed.