By Alexey Sukachev, May, 26, 2007
WBA #2 rated welterweight Yuri Nuzhnenko (25-0, 13 KOs) will defend his WBA intercontinental title for the third time on June 9 at Kiev Sports Palace in Kiev, Ukraine. Nuzhnenko is facing another tough test in his career as he takes on Argentinean Juan Carlos Villareal (38-7-1, 23 KOs). The Ukrainian boxer is coming off the most important fight of his life – a hard decision victory over then-undefeated Uzbek veteran Farkhad Bakirov. If successful against Villareal, Nuzhnenko will put a trigger either on WBA champion Miguel Cotto, or on European titlist Frederic Klose, who is ranked first by the World Boxing Association. Supporting the show will be a huge bunch of local prospects, including IBF #15 cruiserweight Vadim Safonov (19-2, 9 KOs), unbeaten Vitaly Rusal (14-0, 9 KOs), Vyacheslav Uzelkov (15-0, 8 KOs), Sergey Fedchenko (15-0, 5 KOs), Valery Brazhnik (12-0, 7 K)s) and Maxim Bursak (9-0, 1 KO). Young heavyweight giant Oleksandr Kabanov (6’9 with 2 KOs in 2 fights) will also test his skills in the squared ring. The show is promoted by National Box Promotions.