Dzmitry Asanau (left) and Matias Rueda (proper) pose with promoter Camile Estephan (heart) – Picture by Vincent Ethier
Former newbie standout Dzmitry Asanau can have his second combat beneath the Eye of the Tiger banner on Thursday.
The 28-year-old Belarus-born fighter will face former world title challenger Matias Rueda at Montreal On line casino, Montreal.
“That is my ninth combat as an expert, each combat I’m finding out and this combat may also be an excellent expertise for me,” Asanou (8-0, 3 knockouts) instructed The Ring. “Newbie type {and professional} type is totally different. I must do my job within the ring.”
Throughout his illustrious newbie profession, Asanau, who had 280 fights, claimed bronze on the 2015 World Championships and fought on the 2016 Rio Olympics, dropping within the Spherical of 16. Extra not too long ago, he received gold on the European Video games and Navy Video games.
He holds wins over the likes of Andy Cruz, Sofiane Oumiha, Hector Luis Garcia, Albert Batrygaziev, Lazaro Alvarez and Murodjon Akhmadaliev within the unpaid ranks.
Since making his skilled debut in February 2022, Asanau has largely boxed in Germany earlier than teaming up with EOTT. He feels he’s now totally acclimated to the skilled code.
“It’s totally different, within the execs you might have an extended distance and within the amateurs it’s like a dash,” he defined. “This can be a marathon, I like this, I like a marathon. The factor is I must be good and centered in all of the rounds.”
Going through somebody as seasoned and battle-hardened as Rueda ought to current “The Wasp” with a brand new set of issues and will present him with a problem.
“He’s an excellent man, he’s skilled, he’s robust and has energy,” mentioned Asanau. “Lets see, I’m centered. I must do my factor within the ring, that’s my job. We did an excellent job with the crew for this combat to win.”
The target is easy however runs deeper.
“To get a win,” he mentioned earlier than explaining. “For me, I get an excellent consequence when my father calls me after the combat and say, ‘Hey, good job.’ and the coaches the identical.”
Eye of The Tiger President Camille Estephan acknowledges that Asanou has untaped potential to gatecrash the talent-rich light-weight division.
“He’s combating for a title [WBC Continental Americas,] he a possibility to maneuver within the rankings,” mentioned Estephan. “He has the expertise and achievements within the amateurs. He’s overwhelmed some professionals which can be good however that is solely his ninth combat.
“We have now very excessive expectations on this man. This combat will inform us extra however we really feel he’s prepared. He’s finished his camp right here, we’ve seen his work ethic within the fitness center, he’s a disciplined, hard-working man. I like his method to boxing, he’s very good, very clever. Among the finest boxers are clever. He’s acquired all that.”
Rueda (38-2, 32 KOs) turned skilled in 2011. He received WBO regional and South American featherweight titles and went unbeaten in his first 26 fights earlier than dropping to Oscar Valdez (TKO 2) once they contested the vacant WBO title in 2016.
The Argentine fighter acquired again within the win column with 11 wins earlier than dropping to future world title challenger Liam Wilson (UD 10) in Australia, however has since rebounded with a win.
Iglesias-Ivanov, plus undercard bouts, shall be on ESPN+ and punchinggrace.com at 6.30 p.m. ET/ 3.30 p.m. PT and on TVA Sports activities in Canada from 7:00 p.m.
Questions and/or feedback might be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
