Undefeated WBA cruiserweight champion Arsen “Feroz” Goulamirian (26-0, 18 KOs) will return for the first time in nearly three years to defend his title against undefeated #1 contender Aleksei Egorov (11-0, 7 KOs) on November 19 at La Palsestre in Le Cannet, France and live on Canal+ in France. The pair had been scheduled to fight last December, however, Goulamirian tested positive for Covid and the fight was postponed.
The 35-year-old Goulamirian has been preparing for the bout in Big Bear, California, under the watchful eye of well-known trainer Abel Sanchez.
On the undercard, EBU European super middleweight champion Kevin “The Phenomenon” Lele Sadjo (18-0, 16 KOs) will make the first defense of his title against mandatory challenger Emre Cukur (19-1-1, 3 KOs). Also scheduled is a battle for the vacant EBU European super welterweight title between undefeated 23-year-old Milan “Natsuko” Prat (17-0, 14 KOs) and IBF #9-ranked Abass Baraou (12-1, 8 KOs), plus the return of 2016 Olympic silver medalist “Virtuoso” Sofiane Oumiha versus an opponent that is TBA.
“This is the most significant event in France in decades. The best domestic fighters are fighting in career-defining fights versus their mandatory challengers,” said Yohan Zaoui, Chairman of Y12 Boxing. “France must once again establish its place among one of the best nations in boxing and this event is a step in that direction. On November 19, boxing fans from around the world will see the re-emergence of boxing in this great nation.”
I like Goulamirian, I think he’s a pretty good fighter, but there is no way in the world he should still be a champion, having been inactive for three years. One of these days, someone will literally pass away and still be reigning WBA champion for a few years after.
Something like that happened with the WBO. Darrin Morris moved up in the ratings TWICE after he passed away. He only had 1 fight in the 3 years prior to his death, and that was against 17-59-5 Dave McClusky. He went from #7 in the World to #5 after he passed away. Can’t make this stuff up…
DAMN! I’ve heard of Darrin Morris, but I’d never heard that story. Aside from explaining how a dead man is moving up in the rankings, the bigger question would be WHY this fighter, whoever he is, is moving up at that time? What exactly did you see in that three round stoppage of a journeyman that said that this guy should be top five. You might not have known he was dead, but you knew he was barely fighting! WTH!
Seems like whoever was on the WBO’s ratings committee at the time didn’t really take that job too seriously.
Im going with Egorov for the win.