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:
Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
Sun, 29 Mar 2026Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 29 Mar 2026Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
Sat, 28 Mar 2026GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
Sat, 28 Mar 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
Sat, 28 Mar 2026Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 28 Mar 2026Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
Fri, 27 Mar 2026SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Mar 2026Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
Fri, 27 Mar 202611-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
Fri, 27 Mar 2026