Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Viktor Kotochigov: I'll prove my last fight was a blip!

PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 06 Mar 2021



Viktor Kotochigov feels the result of his last fight may have been a blessing in disguise - as he prepares to take on Gary Cully on next Friday's huge #MTKFightNight.

Kotochigov (12-1, 5 KOs) faces undefeated Cully (11-0, 5 KOs) for the vacant WBO European lightweight title at the University of Bolton Stadium on March 12, live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.

The Kazakh fighter came up narrowly short in a back and forth battle against Maxi Hughes last October, but insists he has made plenty of adjustments that will come in handy against Cully.

Kotochigov said: "I am looking forward to this fight. In preparation for the fight, we did a lot of work, with many hours in the gym and in sparring. I can safely say that I am ready for battle.

"Hunger is always inherent in fighters striving for the greatest goals. I am determined to win and prove that losing against Maxi Hughes was a blip.

"I have watched Gary Cully's fights. We studied with my coaches his technical and tactical actions, and we know what to expect from him. I'm looking forward to a beautiful and spectacular fight that fans will love."

Elsewhere on the huge #MTKFightNight on March 12, Lewis Crocker defends his WBO European welterweight title against Deniz Ilbay, Isaac Lowe returns, Sahir Iqbal faces Liam Wells, Jordan Reynolds makes his professional debut against Robbie Chapman, plus Carl Fail enters the paid ranks for the first time too.

It kicks off a huge 7 days, as on March 19, a massive #MTKFightNight takes place, as Lee McGregor challenges Karim Guerfi for his European bantamweight title, and Maxi Hughes meets Paul Hyland Jnr for the vacant British lightweight title.

The event on March 19 also sees Padraig McCrory face Germaine Brown in a clash of unbeaten super-middleweights, Shabaz Masoud goes up against Louis Norman, Jamie Robinson fights Billy Allington, Paul Ryan makes his professional debut against Kyle Hughes, and William Hamilton returns.



Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
    Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
    Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • “Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
    By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026