Andrew Tabiti & Ruslan Fayfer and Zolani Tete & Mikhail Aloyan all made weight ahead of their Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals on October 13 at the Ekaterinburg Expo, Ekaterinburg, Russia.
Ali Trophy Quarter-Finals
IBF Cruiserweight Eliminator:
Andrew Tabiti (29) (16-0, 13 KOs): 90,45 kg
“I feel pretty good and confident,” said Tabiti.
“We have a game plan and we will do the work. I am thankful to be in the tournament and I will do my best.”
Ruslan Fayfer (27) (23-0, 19 KOs): 89,55 kg
“It is a great opportunity to fight in the World Boxing Super Series,“ said Fayfer.
“I don’t feel any pressure fighting at home. Tomorrow you will see me very strong and accurate. I am going to beat Tabiti.”
WBO World Bantamweight Championship:
Zolani Tete (30) (27-3, 21 KOs): 52,8 kg
“He is a good fighter,” said Tete.
“But I am well prepared, and tomorrow I will take Aloyan out.”
Mikhail Aloyan (30) (4-0): 53,2 kg
“It is just my fifth pro fight,” said Aloyan. “But I had a very good amateur career, so I have very good experience. I know Tete is a champion, but I know what to do.“
The Ali Trophy 118lb QF and WBO World Championship – Zolani Tete vs Mikhail Aloyan – and the 200 lb QF and IBF Eliminator – Ruslan Fayfer vs Andrew Tabiti – will be contested this Saturday at the Ekaterinburg Expo in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
(Photo credit: World Boxing Super Series)
All four fighters were in confident mood at Thursday’s press conference in Ekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city and the cultural center of the Urals.
“I am in good shape, ready for the fight,” said South Africa’s Zolani Tete (27-3, 21 KOs), the WBO World Champion.
“As a world champion you must be ready to adjust and adapt, so whatever Aloyan will be bringing I will adjust and take him out.”
Russia’s Mikhail Aloyan (4-0) is hoping the home advantage will give him the edge over Tete.
“The fact that we are fighting in Ekaterinburg will bring out the best in me. I am ready for the fight.”
His countryman Ruslan Fayfer (23-0, 16 KOs) is relying on his greater experience to beat American Andrew ‘The Beast’ Tabiti (16-0, 13 KOs).
“I have more experience than Tabiti,” said Fayfer. “I am not going to reveal anything, I will show everything during the fight. Everything you should see you will see on Saturday night.”
Tabiti was diametrically opposite in his answer.
“I’m on my A-game,” he said. “I came here for the W, nothing else. I am going to knock this guy out!”
