Exclusive interview by Adam Noble-Forcey: WBO European Light Heavyweight champion, Ricards ‘The Lion’ Bolotniks (18-5-1) looks out the window at 2021 in the hope that this year can bring even more success than 2020.
The Latvian powerhouse has enjoyed unfathomable to success during his time at 175 pounds, now undefeated in seven fights. Among the seven opponents Bolotniks has claimed victory over, three of them reside in The United Kingdom. Alongside two knockout victories on British shores, Ricards Bolotniks has experienced great success when coming up against anything connected with the British Isles.
Now sat #6 by the IBF and #7 by the WBO, Bolotniks has his eye on the next level of of potential British dance partners.
“Lyndon Arthur is the guy I would really like to fight next! I want that belt (WBO Inter-Continental) of his.”
Said Ricards Bolotniks in an exclusive interview for Boxing News 24.
“He (Lyndon Arthur) is sitting just above me in both rankings (WBO & IBF), so it feels like the right guy to go for. He’s a good fighter and he got a good win against Anthony Yarde, but that fight they had was not very good. I will give Arthur some real problems. Lyndon should have a proper fight with me in his next fight, he can find out what it is like to face a man who is very hungry.”
With the UK still a hotbed for some of the World’s biggest fights, it is no wonder that the Latvian light heavyweight is eager to share the ring with any the British contingent at 175 pounds.
“There a lots of good fights for me in England. I had a great time there when I won the (MTK) Golden Contract, even now I get messages from English boxing fans asking when and who I am fighting next! There are some great fights to be made with me and any of these guys.
“Callum Johnson is a very dangerous guy, he looked good with (Arthur) Beterbiev, even though he lost. I fought his stable mate, Hosea Burton in Riga, it was a great fight and a very cool evening in my hometown. We had Tyson Fury and his family at the show and I got the win in-front of my own people. Maybe we could bring a British fighter back to Riga? All the shows we have had in Riga with the World Boxing Super Series have all been a huge success, but I also like going to England.
To be honest I am getting a little bored waiting for a fight!
Bolotniks continued:
“Anthony Yarde could be bouncing back very soon, he looked poor against Lyndon (Arthur) but I am sure he can fight much better than that. If Anthony can get himself back together, I would love that challenge too.
“There is something very special about the UK fight fans and the whole industry as a whole.
There is a lot of passion from the fans and I was quite surprised they like me when I beat two of the good fighters over there. Obviously Latvia is my favourite country and Riga is my town, but the magic surrounding British boxing just makes me want to be more involved. It would be very cool to get some of these fights on! I think the fans will be very happy with the entertainment I can bring.”
