The stakes have been raised dramatically for Kiwi middleweight contender Andrei Mikhailovich’s subsequent combat on April 27 – with a victory over his undefeated Venezuelan opponent more likely to arrange a direct problem for the IBF world title.
Mikhailovich (19-0, 11 KOs) was the large mover within the IBF rankings launched in a single day, leaping from 10 to 5 and into pole place to combat the winner of a bout between Brazilian Esquiva Falcao and Australian Michael Zerafa for the title lately vacated by Genady ‘GGG’ Golovkin.
“This can be a gorgeous growth,” Mikhailovich’s promoter Dean Lonergan mentioned.
“I’ve already spoken to IBF consultant Ben Keilty and Ben is of the opinion that if Andrei can beat Edisson Saltarin on April 27 at Struggle For Life, that ought to see him progress to the quantity three spot.
“With the primary and two ranked fighters Falcoa and Zerafa to combat for the vacant world title, Andrei solely must win one combat to enter the obligatory place. In all actuality, so long as Andrei retains successful, you will note him combat for a world title by the top of this 12 months.”
Mikhailovich mentioned he was pumped when coach Isaac Peach instructed him the information this morning.
“Not too way back I used to be simply an indignant little boy and now I’m quantity 5 on this planet,” he mentioned.
“That’s fairly cool. I’ve labored laborious for it so I’m happy with the place I’ve acquired to. It’s thrilling to be so near my dream – however my important focus is on April 27. I’m going to knock out Edisson Saltarin after which we’ll see what comes subsequent.”
What comes subsequent will nearly actually be a world title showdown towards Falcoa or Zerafa, Lonergan mentioned.
“We don’t actually care which of these it’s. Andrei will beat both of them.”
Mikhailovich’s rise means he has now overtaken heavyweight Joseph Parker (WBC No 7 and WBO No 10) as New Zealand’s second-highest-ranked male boxer behind cruiserweight David Gentle (WBO No 1).
There was additional excellent news within the rankings for a Peach Boxing secure that already has world title fights locked in for Gentle and Mea Motu, with elegant gentle heavyweight Jerome Pampellone surging to No 10 with the IBF.
Pampellone fights Australia-based Kiwi Mose Auimatagi on the Struggle For Life card on April 27.
“If Jerome wins that he’ll additionally transfer into the highest 5,” Lonergan mentioned.
With Gentle’s WBO world cruiserweight showdown with Brit Lawrence Okolie headlining the cardboard on the 22,000-seat Manchester Enviornment on March 25 and Motu set to combat Canada’s Tania Walters for the IBO Tremendous Bantamweight title in the primary occasion of Struggle For Life, the approaching months could be hectic, coach Isaac Peach admitted.
“We’ve all labored extremely laborious for this so we wouldn’t have it another means,” Peach mentioned.
“However, yeah, it’s fairly full-on in the intervening time, that’s for positive.”
Peach mentioned he was thrilled that issues have been beginning to fall into place for Mikhailovich after a number of high-profile potential fights fell over final 12 months.
“Andrei has needed to be affected person – however this exhibits that good issues do come to those who wait,” Peach mentioned.
