By Dan Ambrose: Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Rakhim Chakhkiev (9-0, 6 KO’s) will be taking a slight step upwards in competition later this month against 31-year-old Russian Alexander Kotlobay (21-1-1, 15 KO’s) in a scheduled 10 round but at the Grand Elysse in Hamburg, Germany.
Rakhim Chakhkiev
Braehmer, Boytsov, Chakhkiev, Chagaev, Arslan and Menzer in action on January 28th
By Jim Dower: In a fight card that is loaded with top fighters from top to bottom, former World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight champion Jurgen Braehmer (36-2, 29, 29 KO’s) will be back in action for the first time in over a year against an opponent still to be determined on January 28th at the Grand Elysee, Moorweide, Niedersacjsen, in Germany.
Dimitrenko decisions Sprott; Boytsov, Chakhkiev and Menzer also win
By Jim Dower: European Boxing Union (EBU) heavyweight champion Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KO’s) successfully defended his title against 36-year-old Michael Sprott (36-17, 17 KO’s) in a 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Dima-Sportcenter, Lohbruegge, Hamburg, Germany.
Chagaev, Boytsov, Chakhkiev, Balzsay, and more fight on November 19th
By Matt Stein: Former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (26-1-1, 17 KO’s) fights on November 19th against a still to be determined opponent in a loaded card at the Universum Gym, Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany. Chagaev, 32, is looking to become the mandatory challenger for World Boxing Association heavyweight champion David Haye. Chagaev held the WBA title from April 2007 to July 4th 2008. Chagaev was unable to continue to defend the title due to a mixture of illnesses and injuries.
Golovkin-Smith, Chakhkiev-Solomon, Erdei-Fragomeni on November 21st
By Erik Schmidt: Former 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist for Kazakhstan, Gennady Golovkin (17-0, 14 KO’s) will be facing American Ishe Smith (21-4, 9 KO’s) on November 21st in a 12 round title bout at the Sparkassen Arena, Kiel, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Golovkin, 27, the World Boxing Organization Inter-Continental middleweight champion, will be making a big step up competition by facing the 31-year-old defensive wizard Smith. Golovkin is ranked number #1 in both the WBO and World Boxing Council, and number #2 in the WBA and #8 in the IBF, despite having fought largely European fighters in Germany.
Chakhkiev stops Mehmed
Making his pro debut, 2008 Olympic heavyweight Gold Medalist for Russia Rakhim Chakhkiev (1-0, 1 KO’s) defeated Bulgarian Tayar Mehmed (1-1) by a 2nd round of a scheduled four round bout on Saturday night at the Stadthalle, Rostock, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Chakhkiev, 26, now fighting as a cruiserweight, looked very impressive in the fight, showing really heavy hands as he blasted away at the 26-year-old Mehmed for two rounds.
Chakhkiev Turns Pro, Signs With Universum – News
By Erik Schmidt: 2008 Russian Olympic Gold Medalist Rakhim Chakhkiev has reportedly turned pro and signed a pro contract with the German based promotional boxing company Universum (the same company that the Klitschko brothers started out with after turning pro in the 90s). Chakhkiev, 26, a southpaw brawler known for his tendency to turn his bouts into wars, will be moving down to the cruiserweight division rather than continuing on as a heavyweight.