Seis de Mayo en México. Ten rounds scheduled at 175lbs. Both middle thirty-something light heavyweights are from the Balto-Slavic neck of the woods and were born as subjects of the USSR. Gvozdyk was a 4½ year old child when his native Ukraine became an independent state in late '91, while Bolotņiks was still a 1½ year old toddler at the same time when his Latvian home also became sovereign. (yes, they are just about three years apart despite currently being 35 and 33 respectively; Bolotņiks has a birthday last week and Gvozdyk's is next month so he will be 36 come fight night) Gvozdyk has an inch of height and 7cm (nearly 3 inches) of reach on Bolotņiks. The latter has been far more active during the pandemic era, however. Gvozdyk has fought just once since his loss to Artur Beterbiev in October 2019; Bolotņiks has competed five times (with four respectable victories and one forgivable and competitive loss to Joshua Buatsi).
Everything points to the fact that Bolotniks will lose, Gvozdyk is better, has better wins and far more power...
And yet... Everything pointed to Michael Eifert losing to Jean Pascal, even with the latter being old and inactive (as Gvozdyk is) and he went and pitched a clean shutout. Weird stuff happens in boxing. Theater of the unexpected, etc.
If Gvodzyk resembles the guy who stopped Stevenson and valiantly battled Beterbiev, he wins comfortably and quite possibly by mid-round stoppage. If he's shot or clearly past it, which is more likely the case, he may struggle to a competitive points win.
Gvodzyk was main sparring partner for Canelo in his last two fights. Gvodzyk is second heaviest elite puncher in the LHW division after Beterbiev He needs to win by KO, if he wants to be top again.
If anyone can give gvozdyk problems on his comeback it’s bolotniks, he’s wild and he likes to hook. you would think on paper this is pretty straightforward win for the nail but I would not be surprised if bolotniks drops him
