The WBC Silver lightweight belt holder said he wouldn’t want to have a second fight with former three-weight class champion Venezuelan Jorge Linares and also opined that the current undisputed champion of this division, Devin Haney, would defeat the Ukrainian Vasily Lomachenko in their potential duel.
On Sunday, Abdullaev to Chelyabinsk by sixth-round technical knockout of Mexican Giovanni Straffon at the RCC Boxing Ptomotions tournament. For the fourth number in the WBC rankings, this victory was the 16th in the professional ring with only one defeat for Haney. In February 2022, in Yekaterinburg, Abdullaev knocked out Linares in the 12th round, who is still under contract with RCC Boxing Ptomotions.
– I worked as usual, it seems that several times I hit the body hard at the very beginning. I think that’s exactly what affected Giovanni’s business. He’s a tough opponent. I hit a lot, and he lost more and more. I can’t guess what will happen next, but of course I want to climb all the way up. I want big names. Although now every fight brings me closer to the goal,” Abdullayev told reporters.
– Today, Russian boxers cannot hold title fights. Someone sees a way out of the situation by performing under another nationality or a license from another country…
“We didn’t really think about it. I hope this will all be over soon. And so this is a question for my promoters. My job is to box.
– Who do you consider to be the leader of your weight class?
—Devin Haney. He is the undisputed world champion.
“And Vasily Lomachenko?”
– Not. I think Haney will beat Lomachenko.
– Your only loss is to Haney in 2019. How have you changed since that fight?
“I think it’s changed completely. First of all, I’ve changed the preparation. Also changed mentally. Now I’m on another level.
– If Haney was against you today, would everything be different?
– I do not want to tell once again about all the nuances that were before the meeting with Haney. injuries and so on. I don’t want to find excuses. Lost and lost. I’m ready for a rematch with Haney, and in general I’m ready for a fight with anyone. With Lomachenko and so on. Gervonta Davis and so on. Someone wants to be dumped.
– After Haney, one of the difficult fights you had was a meeting with the ex-champion of the three weight categories, the Venezuelan Jorge Linares. Are you ready to give him a rematch in the conditions where it is difficult to find opposition today?
– I beat him earlier than expected. I understood that he was a very high level opponent, so I tried to box more carefully, and in a rematch, I think I can finish the job even earlier. And so… I wouldn’t want revenge with him. I already knocked it out, I closed all questions. I want fights closer to the title – top 5.
– Would you like to fight with one of the Russian boxers?
– From ours – I wouldn’t. There is a rival overseas. I have no desire to box with compatriots. I want to box with tops.
Source : MatchTV
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