Russian Pavel Sosulin named WBO champion for Australia Tim Tszyu the best junior middleweight boxer, but at the same time noted that he did not see “anything supernatural” in him, as in the American Jermell Charlo.
The 2022 Russian champion boxer and 2023 World Championship participant Sosulin will meet former WBO European champion Fatih Keles of Turkey on February 3 in Serpukhov near Moscow as part of the IBA Night of Champions tournament. The vacant IBA European 71kg title will be on the line in the 8-round fight. Sosulin has 8 professional victories, Keles has 17 victories, two defeats and one draw.
— Can you consider Fatih Keles as the most formidable opponent of your professional career?
– I watched his last fight with Hussein Baysangurov (Kelesh lost by split decision – editor’s note)… I think I had even more interesting guys. The same Igor Ivanchenko and Bakhromjon Fozilov were strong. Fozilov had higher grades than the Turks. In general, we are ready for any developments. Keles is an arrogant boxer who imposes his boxing. But in general, he is a convenient opponent for us – he also likes to fight. We have something to show. It will be interesting.
– Why will you emerge victorious from this confrontation?
— I have a long amateur past. I can work at different distances, I can work as both first and second numbers. We are too different.
– Different in the sense that you are better?
– Certainly. I won’t throw big words. I have confidence in myself, the fight will show everything. We prepare well and only aim for victory.
— You already have experience in IBA Night of Champions series tournaments…
— Yes, yes, I boxed with the Russian team against the USA (in December in Moscow – editor’s note), I really like these kinds of tournaments. I want to win the IBA championship belt. Now I’m going to box for the IBA European belt. If I win, I will have the opportunity to challenge for the title of contender and then aim for the IBA world belt. I want to go in this direction. I am very happy to participate in such tournaments.
— In Olympic boxing, you competed in the weight category up to 75 kg, now the fight is announced in the category up to 71 kg…
— As a professional, I compete in the top middleweight (up to 69.9 kg). So I will normally weigh 71 kg.
— You box in a rather interesting division.
— I’m getting closer to the summits little by little, I’m in no hurry. There is even a certain fan base who likes my boxing. My team and I want to obtain the most prestigious belts. Naturally, I watch Tim Tszyu’s boxing. He is at the top of our weight class. Plus Jermell Charlo. I don’t see anything supernatural in their boxing. These are boxers who have their own preparation. But with good preparation you can box with everyone,” said Sosulin, whose words to were provided by the press service of the Russian Boxing Federation.
In the main fight of the Serpukhov tournament, which will take place within the framework of the All-Russian Boxing Forum, the three-time champion of Russia, bronze medalist of the 2023 World Championship Vsevolod Shumkov and the vice-world champion of Cuba Saidel Horta will face each other for the title of contender for the IBA professional belt in the weight category up to 57 kg.
Watch the tournament live on February 3 on the channel, as well as on the matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru websites.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
