Boxrec has them fighting on January 19th on the Chagaev vs Skelton undercard for Rees WBA belt. I don't know if its official, but if it is...thoughts, predictions?
I haven't heard anything about this fight. But Kotelnik is a class above. He'll win easily. Especially in Germany where his typical clean stand up European style will impress.
After getting impudent robbed twice in England by ***** Warren now he deserves a shot more than anybody else. I hope he does well now.
Yeah, apparently he was unlucky against Mbaye and Witter (though I haven't seen those fights) I hope he dosen't get jobbed again. What type of fighter is he?
Andrej Kotelnik vs Gavin Rees would be a good undercard for Chagaev vs Skeleton. I have never seen Gees fight in a box ring neither live nor on tv so that I cant comment on his chances against Kotelnik. Kotelnik convincingly beat Mohamed Abduallev,was robbed of a deserved victory against Juniour Witter,drawed with Mbaye in their rematch(how the hell were those blind judges able to score it a draw after 12 more or less one-sided rounds is beyond me),and lost to Mbaye in their first encounter(a pretty close fight which could have gone either way,but Mbaye was the more active fighter in their first fight so that the outcome was okay). I very much hope that he wont be robbbed once again in a big fight.
The judges won't all be continental Europeans, given it's a world belt, surely? Still, I can't really see Rees winning it. He's far too small for the weight and while he deserves all the credit in the world for taking his chance when presented with it, M'Baye was awful. If Kotelnik's even slightly motivated for this (as I suspect he will be given that it's for a world title on a big card) then he can comfortably outbox Rees, regardless of what magic strategy Enzo Calzaghe comes up with.
The fight was a while ago now but I recall having it (just) for Witter. Kotelnik definitely had the better of the later rounds, but I think you're perhaps overlooking Witter's early success. To call it a robbery is hugely unfair.
Well,you are probably right,snorkel! I am a little bit unfair.Witter vs Kotelnik was a close fight.However,Kotelnik deserved the victory IMO. I was exaggerating a bit when writing my previous post.It wasnt a blatant robbery in open daylight,but Witter would have lost that fight anywhere else outside Great Britain that day.
Possibly. However, should Kotelnik beat Rees and Hatton opt for an easier fight than Witter, a unification bout sometime in the middle of next year would make a lot of sense and answer these questions definitively.
Kotelnik did nothing In the early rounds to beat Witter. He covered up and came on late but It was not enough as the late rounds were close enough to go either way. Against M'baye he just pressed forwardnot doing too much either. He's basic and has a tight guard like most Euros and Brits. Rees can win this.
I had Witter beating Kotelnik 115-113. even if you thought Kotelnik won calling it a "robbery" is a joke. Some people don't really seem to know the definition of a robbery.
The fact that he was in the ballpark with Witter is a bit concerning. I'm not real impressed by either man but its obvious they arent trying to put Rees in too fast. Heres Witter vs Kotelnik This content is protected Kotelnik VS MBAYE This content is protected Here's Rees vs Mbaye This content is protected
