By Alexey Sukachev, December, 2, 2006

In the very heart of old Ural Mountains, Ekaterinburg will host tomorrow one of the biggest tournaments in the short history of Russian professional boxing. Promoted by German Titov this card seems to be clearly the most entitled with six regional titles at stake and six twelve-rounders as well for the first time in Russia. Several best post-Soviet fighters will take part in the evening, showing their best to local fans.

Headlining the show will be hot prospect Sergey Sorokin (22-1-1, 17 KOs), who is scheduled to take on Argentinean Victor Hugo Castro (23-2-0, 11 KOs) in triple-titled showdown for the vacant WBO Asian Pacific, IBF and WBA intercontinental junior welterweight titles. Hard-hitting Sorokin, 28, suffered the lone loss on his dossier on June 2004 from the hands of current IBF king Juan Urango. He is undefeated since then with all seven victories coming inside the distance. In his latest outing Sorokin brutally punished Chilean Joel Sebastian Mayo for five rounds until referee has stepped in to save Mayo from the further punishment. Castro, 31, is quite unknown in Russia, however, beloved in South America for his ‘take-no-prisoners’ boxing style.

Provided that he wins tomorrow, Sorokin will be moving up to the top-ten of WBO rankings which will allow him to fight for the world title. “I don’t know anything about Castro but his weight, height and stance”, said Russian. “However, I’m sure, that’s not type of problem I won’t be able to resolve. I intend to show fans the best of me both in technique and in brawling on short distance. I’m going to challenge world beltholders following my fight with Castro”.

Topping the undercard will be once-promising heavyweight Dennis Bakhtov (22-4, 14 KOs), 26, who collides with Ukrainian Andriy Oleynik (12-5, 10 KOs), 26, for the interim version of PABA title. Bakhtov is preparing for the upcoming bout with EBU champion Vladimir Virchis, however, Oleynik fight is no walk in the park for Russian pugilist. In his recent outing Ukrainian heavyweight gave all he could handle to undefeated Donell Holmes, dropping a narrow decision.

Experienced Ukrainian veteran Alexander Gurov (38-5-1, 33 KOs), 35, is going to start what will probably be the last run for title in his honored career. Four-time European cruiserweight champion has defeated a number of notables such as Norbert Ekassi, Patrice Aouissi, both Torsten and Rudiger May, as well as Vincenzo Rossitto. He fell short twice when he was challenging WBA titlists, losing by TKO 2 to Nate Miller in 1997 and by TKO 8 to Jean-Marc Mormeck three years ago. Gurov is coming off his latest loss by shocking first-round kayo to David Haye followed by nearly one year hiatus. Ukrainian KO artist will face James ‘The African Express’ Lubwama (17-3-2, 10 KOs), 37, for the vacant WBO Asian Pacific cruiserweight belt.

In the third WBO Asian Pacific collision of the evening former perennial contender Kuvanych Toygonbayev (25-4, 16 KOs), 30, battles same Chilean Joel Sebastian Mayo (38-9, 25 KOs), 34, who was soundly disposed by Sorokin this July. Mayo is 2-0 in his last fights, however, both of them taking place in Chile. Toygonbayev won his last fight on points, but was stopped in May by Alisultan Nadirbegov in what was the frontrunner for the Russian fight of the year award.

In twelve-round lightweight special attraction Russian Rustam ‘Mangust’ Nugaev (15-5-1, 8 KOs), 24, will fight in his Motherland for the first time in three years. Being a huge underdog in almost all his bouts abroad, young pugilist scored sensational wins over Ricardo Fuentes, Anthony Mora and Luis Antonio Arceo and dropped controversial decisions to Jairo Rafael Ramirez and Dennis Laurente (his last fight). He is also sadly remembered by the fatal punishment he had given to Martin Sanchez, who had died due to injuries, suffered in his fight with Rustam. Nugaev is expected to overcome another stiff challenge in Mexican Efren Hinojosa (29-2-1, 17 KOs) in a non-title affair.

In another twelve-rounder young Russian featherweight Vyacheslav Gusev (9-1-1, 1 KO), 21, will face TBA. Also Kazakhstani super flyweight Marat Mazimbaev (17-4-1, 12 KOs), 32, is moving up in weight to collide with Belarussian featherweight Dmitry Ryabikov (7-9-0, 3 KO), 23, for eight rounds.