Russian professional boxer Maxime Babanine told that he would consider Our Deal league champion Murad Khalidov as his next opponent.
Babanin began his professional career in 2021; before that he participated in tournaments as part of the Russian national team. The 36-year-old boxer became a bronze medalist at the World Championships and also beat future WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury early in his career. During his professional career, Babanin fought seven fights in which he suffered no defeats. On October 26, Babanin defeated Namibian Vikapita Meroro in Volgograd.
— I heard that you might end your career after the fight in Volgograd. Is this true?
– In fact, I wanted to box in Volgograd for a very long time and I really thought about finishing my career in this tournament. But Vikapita Meroro turned out to be a rather troublesome opponent and the fight turned out not to be very bright, but I would like to perform better. And now I understand that I would have had one or two more fights and then I would have thought about retiring. I feel like a big, loud fight is needed. We talked about this with Vladimir Mineev, and not so long ago he attended a joint screening of the fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, and Murad Khalidov was also present there. And it turns out that Vladimir asked Mourad if he wanted to fight me. He said that he treated me with respect, that he had known me for a long time (as I know him), but that in general he would be ready to box. Vladimir wrote me a message about it that evening, and in the morning I read it and agreed.
In addition, I know that Murad not so long ago beat Oleg Fomichev, a fighter from Volgograd, there is also something in that, so I would gladly fight with him. From what I understand, Kamil Gadzhiev would not be against such a fight either. It turns out that all we have to do is reach an agreement.
—What do you think of the chances in this fight?
– I will approach this fight more seriously, because now in Volgograd I organized the fight myself, they invited guys from the Northern Military District, they invited students. But if it’s a fight with Murad, then I would prepare in two or three steps. I will train in the mountains, look for sparring partners especially for him and prepare well for Volgograd.
We know each other well. He and I were on the national team together in 2006-2007, we were training at that time, we were training and planning to go to the European Championships together, where I beat Fury. But in the end, he didn’t go and Vitaly Kudukhov went instead. As you know, Murad subsequently defeated Kudukhov. In this regard, Murad is handsome, he has proven himself to be stronger, although I always knew it was that way…
— Do you think you have the same boxing school?
— I would say we are about the same level, I think my school is a little better. It’s just that I spent many years in the Russian national team and saw a lot of people who were also highly rated there.
— Why is Murad Khalidov dangerous for you?
– I think he has no turning back at all and will take any fight. He and I can fight very well and work remotely, he will accept it too. It seems to me that he can compete with me in all areas.
— How do you see the optimal format for this fight and the location?
— It seems to me that it is Moscow. 6 or 8 cartridges and gloves regulated by the rules corresponding to our weight, 10 ounces,” Babanin told .
Live broadcasts of mixed martial arts tournaments can be seen on and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
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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.
