KASHTANOV AND SENCHENKO SEE ACTION AUG 24 IN UKRAINE; FILIPINOS CANOY AND PURISIMA BATTLE FOR WBA INT'L TITLES
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Jul 2013
Kashtanov (L) and Barbosa.
In an exciting summer card "PRO BOXING SHOW" on August 24 at the huge 52,000-seat Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine, where several WBA regional titles will be one the line, Ukrainian WBA Super Middleweight (168 lbs) Interim Champion Stanyslav "Stas" Kashtanov (30-1, 16 KOs ), 28, will make his first title defense against 35 year-old Jaime Barboza (18-7, 8 KOs) of Guapiles, Costa Rica.
The thrilling fight event "PRO BOXING SHOW" has been announced in Donetsk, Ukraine by Union Boxing Promotion, one of the most active promotion companies in the country of heavyweight world champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko.
"The Kashtanov-Barboza WBA super middleweight title fight has already been negotiated," said Mario Vega, manager of the challenger Jaime Barboza.
"Everything is set. So, Jaime (Barboza) is training hard in the gym. Kashtanov is exactly the right opponent for Jaime. Jaime is going to press the Ukrainian as no one has done it before."
Jaime Barboza is the current WBA FedeLatin Champ as well as WBA # 15 super middleweight.
This is the 168-pound weight class where top dogs are unbeaten WBA super champion Andre "S.O.G." Ward (26-0, 14 KOs) and WBA/IBF Unified Champ Carl "The Cobra" Froch (31-2, 22 KOs). Kashtanov is the current WBA interim champ.
In the co-main event, veteran Vyacheslav Senchenko (33-1, 22 KOs) - the Ukrainian former welterweight world champion who sent Ricky Hatton back into retirement - returns to fighting mode in a 10-rounder against a foe still to be named.
Senchenko's opponent could be journeyman 34-year-old "El Malevo" Carlos Adan Jerez (37-15-3, 18 KOs) of Tucuman, Argentina. In his career, the Argentinian "El Malevo," Perez, an old warrior who likes to face the best, has fought the likes of Mundine, Mathysse and Canelo Alvarez.
In addition, unbeaten Ukrainian Artem Karpets (18-0, 6 KOs) and 36 year-old Tobia Giuseppe Loriga (27-2-2, 6 KOs) of Bologna, Italy, will clash for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental light middleweight belt; the winner likely grabbing a place in the WBA 154 lbs world-rankings.
In another international clash, WBA Inter-Continental featherweight champ Oleg Yefimovych (23-2, 12 KOs) risks his crown against underdog Luis Armando "Tucu" Juarez (17-6-2, 4 KOs) of Tucuman, Argentina. The Ukrainian Yefimovych is currently WBA # 7 in the featherweight division.
FILIPINOS CANOY AND PURISIMA IN THE UNDERCARDS FOR WBA INT'L TITLES
As special attractions, Filipinos Jason Canoy and Juan Purisima have been announced to see action against Ukrainian WBA regional champions.
The 23 year-old Cebuano Jason "Dondong" Canoy (16-3-2, 11 KOs) will battle undefeated WBA Inter-Continental flyweight title champ Oleksandr Hryshchuk (12-0, 5 KO).
Hryshchuk (L) and Canoy.
It's the golden opportunity for Canoy to conquer a prestigious regional belt, as well as a place in the world-rankings.
For years, Canoy has trained at Omega Gym in Mabolo, Cebu, the popular sweatshop where he got the chance to spar top fighters as Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales and compatriot Jhonriel Casimero.
Canoy's opponent is Oleksandr Hryshchuk, 27, of Ilovaisk, Ukraine, is currently WBA #12 in the flyweight division and a really tough nut to crack.
In his last outing, the dangerous Hryshchuk scored a vicious round two knocked out win over 20-year-old Hungarian Gabor Molnar (12-2, 9 KOs) last April in Donetsk. (photo below)
Also in the same "PRO BOXING SHOW" card, Juan "The Punisher" Purisima (11-3-1, 4 KOs) of Zamboanga del Sur in the Philippines will trade blows with unbeaten 25 year-old Ukrainian rising-star Artem Dalakian (7-0, 5 KOs) for Dalakian's WBA International flyweight belt.
In his last rumble, the Ukrainian Dalakian captured by knock out the WBA international 112-pound crown, while Purisima won - also by knock out - the Philippines Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight title.
Dalakian (L) and Purisima.
Purisima edges the Ukranian in experience as the Filipino has fought a total of 89 rounds in 15 fights in is pro career against a total of only 24 rounds in seven fights by Dalakian.
However, the compatriot of Wladimir Klitschko surpases the Filipino in punching power, having the aggressive Dalakian a high 71% KO ratio, against a much lower 26% power in the hands of the Filipino.
CANOY AND PURISIMA FIGHTS ANALYSIS
Not easy fights for the two Filipinos as they will have tough foes as well as a huge crowd against them. Purisima has it a bit easier as he edges the Ukrainian in ring experience, but he Pinoy will have to be extremely careful against the hard-hitting power of Dalakian who could send him to dreamland in the blink of an eye.
Therefore, Juan Purisima has to box from the distance and do it in a really effective way throughout the 12-round battle, scoring telling points that would impress the judges - whom might be the three of them Ukrainian.
In contrast, Jason "Dondong" Canoy will have to battle a seemingly much tougher enemy.
Last year, together with my colleagues and friends Dong Secuya and Rene Bonsubre, I attended a Jason Canoy fight at a small ALA Cobra card at Mandaue's City Plaza Square in Cebu. Inexplicably, Canoy lost by points that rumble to Cebuano Welbeth Loberanis (12-2, 3 KOs).
"Dondong" Canoy did not look in control against an opponent that he should have overcome. That evening Canoy lacked focus. So the worrisome question is: if Canoy could not properly concentrate in his own backyard so as to efficiently handle Loberanis, what could he do in Ukraine against a world-ranked boxer?
Focus is extremely important. Without it, he might as well lose again. However, with about one whole month remaining before fight night in Ukraine, both, Canoy and Purisima should aim their training at fine-tuning effective hands and feet speed, as well as defensive tactics, counter-punching moves and overhaul boxing skills to get in tip-top form against strong, aggressive enemies with powerful hands.
Moreover, I remember seeing Canoy in sparring sessions with then Mexican world champion Ramon Garcia Hirales at the Omega Gym in Mabolo, Cebu City, as the Mexican was training to defend against Nietes. Canoy looked focused and fast during those sessions against the strong skillful Mexican.
Here is a 90-second video that I filmed of Jason Canoy sparring Ramon Garcia Hirales at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D0SdJO49f0.
If Canoy and Purisima could focus well and get the best out of the 1 month training, the chances of the two young hopefuls increase superbly. These fights in Ukraine are splendid chances for Canoy and Purisima to break into the international scene.
TICKETS ON SALE
With one month to go before fight night, the promotion company Union Boxing Promotion commented:
"We are organizing the ?Pro Boxing Show" on the 24th of August at Donbass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine. The listed bouts will be the main event. But the undercard bouts will be announced a bit later, as some contracts are not yet signed."
Tickets are already on sale at the Donbass Arena box office. Prices are UAH 20 ($ 2.50), UAH 35 ($ 5) and UAH 80 ($ 10). Season ticket holders get a 50% discount.
There will be a VIP sector in the ringside. The price of VIP ticket is $ 125 dollars.
"PRO BOXING SHOW" on August 24 at Donbass Arena in Ukraine is a production of promoter Yuriy Ruban, head of Union Boxing Promotion. The matchmaker is former fighter Dmytro Yeliseyev.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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