On Thursday, Arthur Biyarslanov will headline a card for the primary time in his profession when he faces late substitute Tamas Kiliti on the Montreal On line casino, Montreal.
Biyarslanov, who claimed the NABF junior welterweight title final outing, is trying to construct on that momentum and get himself into the world title image within the close to future.
Whereas the change in opponent from veteran Marcos Villasana Jr., isn’t best, he’s taking it in his stride.
“It’s simply one other struggle for me, I normally prepare for each struggle, I practice the identical, I practice arduous and wish to placed on an excellent present,” Biyarslanov (15-0, 13 knockouts) advised The Ring. “The opponent could change, however the objective stays the identical.”
Biyarslanov, who’s now a Canadian citizen, has come a great distance since he first moved to Canada again in 2007.
“I used to be born in Makhachkala, Dagestan due to the conflict in 1995 with Chechnya,” he defined. “We got here again after the conflict to Chechnya and stayed for 4 years, then the second Chilly Warfare began in 1999/2000 and that’s once I moved to Azerbaijan and we lived there for about six years earlier than we got here to Canada.
“I got here right here once I was younger, so for me, it was simple for me to adapt and realized the language actually fast. As I obtained older I might inform the distinction. Each nation has their very own lifestyle. I’m settled in Canada and I’ve been dwelling right here for nearly 20 years. I’m used to it now.”
Initially he performed soccer and meant for that to be his chosen path. Nonetheless, issues turned out reasonably completely different.
“I began about three years after I got here to Canada,” he mentioned of his first foray into boxing. “My brother kinda compelled me into it, he wished me to study to field and self-defense. I used to be a big-time soccer participant. I assumed at some point I used to be going to be a soccer participant however right here I’m a boxer.”
He went on take pleasure in a extremely profitable novice that culminated in his representing his adopted homeland on the 2016 Olympics.
“It was superb, it’s the most important step you will get to,” he mentioned of his look on the showpiece occasion. “I used to be the one male Canadian that certified. I feel I had the most effective novice careers within the 4 years from 2013/17.
“I went to a few world championships, the place I obtained bronze twice. I went to Commonwealth Video games, Pan Am Video games, Olympics Video games. I really feel like in these 4 years I did the utmost I might. I solely had 98 fights, I did quite a bit in these fights. I feel it was the proper timing to show skilled.”
Biyarslanov made his debut in his hometown of Toronto with a first-round knockout over Ernesto Cardona in December 2018.
Though he was capable of struggle, his exercise noticeably suffered, and he ended up combating simply twice a yr from 2020 to 2023.
Arthur Biyarslanov – Photograph by Vincent Ethier
“Once I first began my skilled profession it was a bit troublesome as a result of Covid began proper after in 2020 and that sort of put me again and the businesses didn’t have many fights. However right here with Eye of the Tiger they’re energetic,” he defined. “I feel they’ve exhibits each month, and I’m combating fairly often which is what I want. I must be energetic, I have to get extra fights to get to that world stage.
“I’m certain with Eye of the Tiger they’re going to get me to it. They’re protecting me very energetic, it’s my third struggle in lower than six months. It’s what I wanted, and now they’re placing me as the primary occasion which is nice – it’s superb.”
Whereas Biyarslanov holds the NABF title, that isn’t the extent of his aspirations.
“I wish to struggle for a world title by subsequent summer season,” he mentioned. “Hopefully two or three extra fights, if I get the right fights and the large fights and if I carry out. That’s my objective once I’m 30-years-old, I wish to be world champion, which is simply across the nook.
“Each belt there’s a completely different champion in my weight class, so to be trustworthy it doesn’t actually matter so long as I get a shot.”
Camille Estephan of Eye of the Tiger believes Biyarslanov is an efficient addition to the already expertise laden junior welterweight division.
“Artur is a really severe athlete,” mentioned Estephan. “His work ethic and power was in comparison with (IBF, WBC and WBO gentle heavyweight titlist Artur) Beterbiev by his power coach André Kulesza (who works with each.) His boxing talents are glorious so the plan is to quick observe him, he appears to be able to face the elite.”
Kiliti (10-0, 6 KOs) turned skilled in his native Hungary in 2019, the place all of his fights have taken place. In his most up-to-date outing he outpointed Miguel Antin (UD 8) in Might. This can be a marked step up at school for him.
Biyarslanov-Kiliti, plus undercard bouts, will likely be broadcast on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. ET/ 3:30 p.m. PT and on punchinggrace.com in Canada.
Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
