Anticipation grows as all is set for IBA Champions’ Night to take place on 12 July in Serpukhov, Russia at the IBA Coliseum. On Tuesday, boxers of the main card showed their skills in front of the media and made their statements before the event.

Muslim Gadzhimagomedov from Russia and Zhaoxing Zhang from China will fight for the WBA World Bridgerweight champion belt. Russian Albert Batyrgaziev and Jono Carroll from Ireland are to meet for WBA Interim Super Featherweight title in a co-main event.

Carroll, asked about his rival’s fights records, mentioned that he has never watched Olympics and hence couldn’t witness Batyrgaziev’s Tokyo success.

‘My coach studies my opponents and gives me advice. In the ring, Usually, I don’t care about my rival, it is me against me. If I am in my best shape, I can fight any boxer in the world. Albert is a good boxer, and I need a good challenge. I respect him but in general I don’t care,’ Carroll said.

Batyrgaziev, in turn, mentioned that he can’t wait his fight to start.

‘I am looking forward to going into the ring. As soon as the bout kicks off, I’ll become the happiest man in the world. We train hard and wait for D-Day. I have prepared some surprises for Carroll, if he didn’t watch my fights, it’s his decision, maybe he wants to be surprised,’ Batyrgaziev said.

Zhaoxin Zhang didn’t show much of his skills at the training, keeping his tactics for the fight.

‘I came all the way from China and am looking forward to my fight on 12 July. I believe in myself and that I’ll be the winner,’ he said.

Gadzhimagomedov called his rival “patient”, being able to counterattack well.

‘I analyzed his fights, especially the last one where he won against Evgeny Romanov. Zhang can expect a tough fight, which, unfortunately for him, wouldn’t last all 12 rounds. I think, by round 10, I will finish the bout,’ the Russian stated.

IBA Champions’ Night in Serpukhov will be livestreamed on iba.sport, and the tickets are available at the following link.

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