By Alexey Sukachev, November, 21, 2006

Russian welterweight Marat Khuzeev (15-1-1, 7 KOs) returned to the ring with an easy second round TKO over previously undefeated Tarek Ablazim (6-1, 4 KOs). Khuzeev was coming off the first loss in a career, suffered from the hands of Danish contender Reda Zam Zam via UD 8. With the victory he has also captured minor IPBF welterweight belt. Also former Seoul Olympian Alexander Zaitsev (28-14, 16 KOs) proved, he is too much for durable journeyman Tagir Rzaev (5-32-1, 3 KOs), earning the win on points over six rounds. Unbeaten Russian lightweight Denis Shafikov is now 10-0 with 5 KOs after the devastating blowout of unheralded Vitaly Olhovik (0-3). The show was promoted by Igor Shafer.

On Dec. 2 an Old Russian city of Ekaterinburg will host possibly its best boxing show in history. Well-known promoter German Titov with the assistance of the Russian Professional Boxing Federation will stage a huge card, featuring several best post-Soviet fighters and containing four twelve-rounders for the minor regional belts.

Headlining the show will be 27-year old Russian heavyweight Dennis Bakhtov (22-4, 14 KOs), who is scheduled to take tough Ukrainian Andriy Oleynik (12-5, 10 KOs) for the PABA Interim title. Bakhtov is the former WBC international champion with kayo losses to world-rated Sinan Samil Sam and Saul Montana. Oleynik, 26, is coming off the respective loss on points to unbeaten prospect Donnell Holmes and the scintillating decision over Kendrik Releford.

Up and coming Russian junior welterweight KO artist Sergey Sorokin (22-1-1, 17 KOs), who is in hard negotiations with Bobby Bostick Promotions, will fight Argentinean Victor Hugo Castro (23-2-0, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBO Asian Pacific title in 140 lbs. Two-time world title challenger Alexander Gurov (38-5-1, 33 KOs) will try to find his third path to the championship contention, starting with the bout for the vacant WBO Asian Pacific cruiserweight belt versus TBA. Kuvanych Toygonbayev (25-4, 16 KOs) of Uzbekistan is coming off the crushing defeat from the hands of Alisultan Nadirbegov in the fight for the vacant WBO Asian Pacific light middleweight title against Chilean Joel Sebastyan Mayo (38-9, 25 KOs). Tough Russian lightweight Rustam Nugaev (15-5-1, 8 KOs) will face Mexican Efren Hinojosa (29-2-1, 17 KOs) in scheduled twelve-rounder. Also Russian Vyacheslav Gusev (9-1, 1 KO) will fight TBA in a special twelve-round featherweight attraction, while Kazakhstani super flyweight Marat Mazimbaev (17-4-1, 12 KOs) is going to face Russian featherweight Dmitr Ryabikov (7-9, 3 KOs) in eight-rounder.