Magic In Moscow Anticipated As Ehsan Rouzbahani Defends His APB Light Heavyweight Title Against Mathieu Bauderlique

Moscow, Russia will host two APB World Championship Matches on Friday night, including a first title defence for Light Heavyweight (81 kg) Champion Ehsan Rouzbahani (IRI) against Mathieu Bauderlique (FRA).

Boxing fans around the world can view the action from 19:00 (GMT +3) at https://www.youtube.com/user/AIBAproboxingTV while the event will also be broadcasted by TV Boetz.

27-year-old Rouzbahani won the Inaugural Light Heavyweight Championship earlier this year against Kennedy St. Pierre (MRI), and has excelled in APB with three impressive victories.

The Iranian star defeated Bauderlique last December over six pulsating frames, with their eagerly anticipated rematch scheduled for 12 rounds.

This fight brings together two of the biggest punchers in the Light Heavyweight division, as the powerful Rouzbahani meets a rival who has performed spectacularly in recent matches.

Bauderlique’s last three opponents have all failed to hear the final bell, after the Frenchman stopped both Nikita Ivanov (RUS) and Joseph Ward (IRE) in dramatic fashion, before his truncated Cycle I Round 2 bout with Spas Genov (BUL) was halted in the second round.

“I lost to Rouzbahani narrowly in our first bout after he took advantage following a knockdown in the 4th round, but I managed to reduce the gap throughout the fight, and that’s why a 12 round bout will be a serious advantage for me,” remarked Bauderlique ahead of his title match.

Magic in Moscow anticipated as Ehsan Rouzbahani defends his APB Light Heavyweight title against Mathieu Bauderlique

“Rouzbahani is indeed a great boxer and he’ll be ready to face me, but this bout will be different from the first because I am an instinctive boxer which everyone will see on the night. In any case, I want to win the belt, and he’ll be ready to defend it.”

Considering the power both men possess, many boxing fans are anticipating the contest to be an all-out war, but there is more to the boxers than just knockouts.

Bauderlique is an incredibly resilient fighter with a great chin and tremendous timing, while Rouzbahani has remarkable movement and one of the best jabs in APB.

Fireworks are expected in Moscow as the outstanding Champion and challenger battle it out for the coveted APB belt, and fans are advised to keep their eyes glued to the action at all times.

Thriller In Foshan As Khedafi ‘EL TORO’ Djelkhir Defends APB Bantamweight Title Against Jiawei Zhang

APB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:

On Sunday night, the Foshan Nanhai Gymnasium in Foshan, China hosts the APB World Championship Matches, as Bantamweight (56 kg) Champion Khedafi Djelkhir (FRA) defends his title against Jiawei Zhang (CHI).

Boxing fans around the world can view this historic event from 19:10 (GMT +8) on https://www.youtube.com/user/AIBAproboxingTV and the event will also be broadcasted by Guizhou TV, Shenzhen TV Sports Channel and LeTV.

Djelkhir entered APB with a tremendous amount of expectation on his shoulders after earning a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, while he also amassed a perfect 16-0 record inside the professional boxing ring.

His best performances have been saved for APB, where his early triumphs over Yoni Blanco (VEN) and Robenilson Vieira De Jesus (BRA) symbolised the special talent he possesses.

After becoming the final APB Inaugural Champion last February following a brilliant victory over Alberto Melian (ARG), Djelkhir catapulted his already amazing career towards a completely new level.

Zhang represents the biggest challenge of Djelkhir’s APB career so far however, but though he will be fighting in enemy territory, the Champion is unperturbed regarding the situation.

thriller in Foshan expected as Khedafi ‘El Toro’ Djelkhir defends the APB Bantamweight title against Jiawei Zhang

“I don’t see any issue with that,” he says. “I have total confidence that the decision will be fair if it goes to the end.

“Zhang is a good boxer, I saw him during Cycle I, but I will defeat him because I will be stronger.”

A two-time Asian Games silver medalist, Zhang began his APB career with two defeats from his first three matches, before an exceptional run of form catapulted the Chinese star into the world title picture.

Cycle I victories over Benson Gicharu Njangiru (KEN) and Alberto Melian (ARG) showcased his versatility and resilience inside the ring, and he will look to utilise both of those attributes on Sunday night.

This will represent the first time either fighter has boxed over 12 rounds, and though Djelkhir has the experience in fighting over a longer round format, Zhang did not struggle at any point during his eight round bout with Melian.

The 26-year-old Chinese contender is equally excited at the opportunity to compete in front of home fans, which he believes will increase his chances of claiming the title.

“Fighting in China makes me more excited, and I believe this will help me to perform better.

“In my daily training, all my preparation is based on competing over 12 rounds, and I am focusing on specific training to compete with Djelkhir.”

Each round should produce fireworks, as both men are attacking fighters who also possess plenty of technical ability.

Djelkhir is blessed with solid power and a wickedly fast left hook, while Zhang’s body punching and movement will be sure to test the defence of his opponent.

Expect plenty of ebbs and flows throughout the contest, which has the potential to be one of the most spectacular APB World Championship Matches.

Three further matches will take place on the undercard, including Jiabin Huang (CHI) vs Yanhui Huang (CHI), Taximaimaiti Haishaer (CHI) vs Youba Sissokho Ndiaye (ESP) and Quan Yang vs Ariunbold Ganselem (MGL).

Lyu And Zhakypov Battle For The Light Flyweight title In Guiyang, China

LIGHT FLY 49 KG – FRIDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER (19:10 GMT +8)
Location: Guiyang – Venue: Guizhou Arena

APB World Championship Matches begins on Friday night when Lyu and Zhakypov battle for the Light Flyweight title

The first of the eagerly awaited APB World Championship Matches will take place on Friday night at the Guizhou Arena in Guiyang, China, as Light Flyweight (49 kg) Champion Bin Lyu (CHI) defends his title for the very first time against Birzhan Zhakypov (KAZ).

Boxing fans around the world can view this historic event from 19:10 (GMT +8) on https://www.youtube.com/user/AIBAproboxingTV, and will also be broadcasted by Guizhou TV, Shenzhen TV Sports Channel and LeTV.

Lyu became the Inaugural Light Flyweight Champion last February when he defeated compatriot Zhonglin Wu over eight rounds, while Zhakypov is currently on a five fight winning streak in APB.

Sublime Cycle I victories over Patrick Lourenco (BRA) and Carlos Quipo (ECU) have firmly established Zhakypov as the number one contender, and he has no issues about fighting in China, as both of those triumphs emanated from Guiyang.

Zhakypov’s lone loss in this competition came against Lyu in the very first week of action, so the 31-year-old AIBA World Champion is desperate to make amends for that defeat and claim the title.

Lyu will enjoy home advantage however and believes that the support he shall experience in the arena will help tremendously.

“Because I will defend my title at home in front of boxing fans from my country, I have a stronger motivation to win the match,” he remarked in an interview with AIBAProBoxing.com.

The first meeting between the two fighters produced six rounds of scintillating action, where Lyu convincingly outpointed the decorated Zhakypov, who is a decade older than the Chinese Champion.

“From the first fight with Zhakypov, I learnt that I need to have strong self-confidence to be successful. His strengths are that he has rich competition experience, good understanding, good timing, and he controls the distance,” said Lyu.

Ever since that initial defeat last October, Zhakypov has looked in ominous form, with his impressive body shots proving effective against both of his Cycle I opponents.

Lyu And Zhakypov Battle For The Light Flyweight title In Guiyang, China

Zhakypov’s watertight defence enable constant control of the ring, but questions remain on how he will be able to combat the exciting and aggressive style that Lyu possesses.

Accuracy and strength are two of Lyu’s biggest weapons, and his unerring discipline allows him to maintain his tactics through a bout no matter what his opponent is doing.

Unlike their first match, this key title rematch will take place over 12 rounds, a distance neither man has ever fought over competitively before.

Zhakypov may have a slight advantage having twice fought over eight rounds this year, while Lyu has not competed in APB since his triumph over Wu seven months, as he has been waiting for a title challenger to emerge.

Both men have been training hard for the match, and as neither boxer has experienced stamina issues before, the stage is firmly set for an incredible match.

Three further matches will take place on the undercard, including Anton Pinchuk (KAZ) vs Dragos Ghionea (ROU), Tianlong Ding (CHI) vs Thulasi Tharumalingam (QAT) and Yong Chang (CHI) vs Ilyas Suleimenov (KAZ).