By Jim Dower: Russian EBU cruiserweight champion Alexander Alekseev (23-2, 20 KO’s) is making his first defense of his title against 41-year-old former WBA World cruiserweight champion Firat Arslan (32-5-1, 21 KO’s) in what Alekseev is hoping will be an easy fight for him at the EWS Arnea in Goeppingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Alekseev, #4 WBO, #5 WBC, #12 WBA, won the European Boxing Union title in his last fight against Enad Licina last February in an impressive 12 round unanimous decision in Franfurt, Germany. Alekseev’s southpaw stance gave Licina fit, as did Alekseev’s counter punching. He fought really well and made Licina look bad in comparison.

Arslan can punch a little or at least he used to. If he can find some of his old power, he could have a chance at winning this fight. Alekseev, as good as he is, has a fragile chin and poor stamina. He wears down quickly when pressured and he doesn’t take a very good shot no matter what stage in a fight. Alekseev was stopped by Victor Emilio Ramirez in January 2009 in a fight for the interim WBO crusierweight title.

Alekseev appeared to have his career turned around shortly after that fight with a string of four consecutive victories against 2nd tier opposition. However, Alekseev failed once again when he was pitted against the hard hitting Russian southpaw Denis Lebedev in July 2010, losing by a 10th round TKO.

Arslan has won his last three fights against Michal Bilak, Lubos Suda and Orlando Antonio Farias. Arslan was beaten by Steve Herelius in 2010 in an 11th round stoppage and then Guillermo Jones by a 10th round TKO defeat in 2008. Before that, Arslan had held the WBA World cruiserweight title from 2007 to 2008.

Alekseev should win this fight if his chin and stamina holds up. That’s a big IF because he’s really fallen apart in a couple of fights where he was met with pressure and power. Arslan does have a chance in that he probably can still punch, and and Alekseev folds when he’s blasted hard. He’s not been matched tough since the Lebedev fight, and Arslan could have enough left to take Alekseev out of there. Alekseev will be there for Arslan to hit, but Arslan will have to try and stop Alekseev’s sneaky right hooks to the head and body, and his straight left hand. Alekseev mixes his punches up well, and that’s make him hard to fight. He’s especially lethal with his body shots when throwing counters. Arslan looked to be in good shape in his last fight, but he’s going to have to be in really good shape to take the kinds of shots that Alekseev will be hitting him with.