Ali Izmailov is keen for a severe step-up in opposition, even when which means going through the 2 finest fighters within the mild heavyweight division.
Izmailov will face Britton Norwood Tuesday evening on the Wayne State College FieldHouse in Detroit, Michigan. The ten-round bout will precede the principle occasion bout that includes unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Andrael Holmes, Jr. going through Marlon Harrington.
Each fights will stream dwell on DAZN (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
The 30-year-old Izmailov, who’s initially from Malgobek, Russia and now resides in Detroit, is rated at No. 10 by The Ring within the mild heavyweight division.
In his final battle on June 9, Izmailov (11-0, 7 knockouts) scored essentially the most spectacular win on paper, to date, in his younger professional profession, defeating fringe contender Charles Foster by unanimous choice. Izmailov dropped Foster in spherical 5 in a conflict of unbeaten fighters at 175 kilos.
In 2022, Izmailov confronted two unbeaten fighters, stopping Abraham Tebes and decisioning Eric Murguia over 4 months later.
Promoter Dmitriy Salita believes Izmailov is able to face the higher echelon of fighters within the mild heavyweight division.
“Ali Izmailov (is) perhaps the third finest mild heavyweight on this planet,” Salita informed The Ring over the weekend. “In his final 4 fights, he beat three undefeated boxers.
“He’s a hidden gem of the division, however I imagine, with a powerful win on (Tuesday, he) will get folks to note him and embrace him within the conversations with the champions. These two guys are (Artur) Beterbiev and (Dmitry) Bivol.”
Norwood (13-4-1, 10 KOs) knocked out once-beaten Nicolas Masseroni within the opening spherical of his final bout on April 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the place he now lives and trains.
The 36-year-old southpaw has received 5 of his final six bouts, with the one blemish coming in December 2021, which was a primary spherical knockout loss to prospect Joseph Ward.
Tuesday’s card will mark the primary ‘Huge Time Boxing USA’ occasion that might be promoted by Salita Promotions. Different battle playing cards will reportedly happen later this yr as a part of a sequence, highlighting fighters who dwell and prepare within the Detroit space, together with Michigan.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He could be reached at [email protected]
Comply with @FSalazarBoxing
