March, 17, 2006. 

Once again unbeaten russian supermiddles Denis Inkin (27-0, 21 KOs) and Victor Oganov (25-0, 25 KOs) showed enormous physical power and culminating boxing skills in their last bouts, proving another time to be serious contenders at 168 lbs.

Victor Oganov (5’9)  faced his best opponent to date in tough American cookie Sam Reese (21-15-4, 8 Kos) last Friday at Siberian city of Ygorsk. Reese had fought a conviencing opposition, having made several loud upsets, including wins over Aneudi Santos (twice), Dallas Vargas, Danny Trevino and Enrique Ornelas. Though proved to be dangerous for unbeaten prospects Reese had nothing to do with hard-hitting Russian boxer. The fight went toe-to-toe from the very first round with Oganov, landing harder and cleaner shots. It was Victor Oganov, who finally rocked his opponent two times and insisted referee Victor Panin on stopping the contest in 7th round.

29-year-old Oganov seems to be the toughest puncher on current Russian boxing scene. He has been competing already for 7 years as a professional boxer and scored 25 KOs in the equal number of fights. Due to offencive circumstances he was unable ot fight as a pro for two years, but now is back on track with three victories since December. Right now Oganov, holding WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight Title and being managed by boxing legend Kostya Tszyu, is ready to make a great impact in Super Middleweight Division. Rumors are held that the next fight for Oganov will be the exciting showdown with the winner of sellout All-Australian battle between Anthony Mundine and Danny Green. If occurred that fight will likely be an eliminator for one of the major world titles.

“He wasn’t at his best during Reese fight, - said Tszyu about Oganov – I’m glad this fight was that tough cause we have seen what is to be done for further improvement. Reese was the hardest guy we’ve ever fought. My fellow promoter told me that we had risked a lot by taking this fight on short notice”.

“He [Oganov] has fought 3 times last 3 months. So we are to take a little rest now. We shall fight next in May with the opponent to be determined. Victor has already captured WBO Asia-Pacific belt so the current goal is to take place in first tens of world rankings this year. If all goes the way it should, the next year one of the major belts will be ours”.     

Another Russian prospect 28-year-old Denis Inkin is still on heat streak but isn’t so impressive as earlier. This Tuesday at Alte Reithalle, Stuttgart, Germany he gained another victory to his record by outboxing South African Peter Mashimaite (14-5-1, 7 KOs) over ten steady rounds. Being not so exciting and struggling a lot he was able to earn workmanlike decision – 99-91, 98-92, 98-93.

Once believed to be the Hope of Russian boxing Inkin now seems to lose his focus on boxing, while fighting under the management of Klaus-Peter Kohl. One knows Kohl as a brave advocate of his stablemates’ interests. It’s more than strange though why Inkin who holds wins over Malik Dziarra and former world champion Julio Cesar Vasquez (both by KO) as a pro and a decision over reighning IBF titlist Jeff Lacy as an amateur is still out of his sight. Last year Inkin fought 5 times, knocking out all his opponents, and now is rated #14 by WBA and #5 by WBO. It’s still though a question when we shall see him in major fights.

Anyway with the punchers like Oganov and Inkin along with the slick fighters as Devi Gogiya, Sergey Tatevosyan and Eric Teymour Russian super middleweight future seems to be extremely bright now. Keep’em watching this year!

Alexey Sukachev