WASHINGTON, September 18 (RIA Novosti) – Undefeated Russian heavyweight boxer Magomed Abdusalamov is set to square off against a new challenger in New York City’s storied Madison Square Garden arena in November.
Florida-based Abdusalamov, who has knocked out every opponent he has faced in his 18 professional fights, will take on undefeated Mike Perez from Cuba in a bout to be televised live on the US cable channel HBO, Boxing News 24 reported Tuesday.
Magomedov, who hails from the republic of Dagestan in Russia’s restive North Caucasus region, captured the Russian super heavyweight amateur championships in 2005 and 2006. He attracted attention by knocking out numerous opponents during his amateur days – a rarity given the protective headgear worn by amateur fighters, according to the Ventura Country Reporter.
Magomedov, 32, turned professional in 2008 and moved to the United States a year later. He currently holds the title of World Boxing Council (WBC) United States heavyweight champion, according to the WBC.
He is “widely regarded as a future star of the division,” according to the website The Boxing Observer.
Abdusalamov told the Ventura County Reporter in February that his father, a devout Muslim, made him take up sports to spare him from a life of crime.
“When I was young, my father said, ‘You can either be a sportsman or a bandit. It is your choice. But if you choose to become a bandit, I will kill you,’” he told the newspaper.
“That made it a very easy decision for me.”
