Dzmitry Asanau (left) and Matias Rueda (proper) pose with promoter Camile Estephan (heart) – Photograph by Vincent Ethier
Former beginner standout Dzmitry Asanau can have his second struggle below the Eye of the Tiger banner on Thursday.
The 28-year-old Belarus-born fighter will face former world title challenger Matias Rueda at Montreal On line casino, Montreal.
“That is my ninth struggle as an expert, each struggle I’m learning and this struggle may also be a great expertise for me,” Asanou (8-0, 3 knockouts) instructed The Ring. “Beginner fashion {and professional} fashion is totally different. I have to do my job within the ring.”
Throughout his illustrious beginner profession, Asanau, who had 280 fights, claimed bronze on the 2015 World Championships and fought on the 2016 Rio Olympics, shedding within the Spherical of 16. Extra not too long ago, he gained gold on the European Video games and Army Video games.
He holds wins over the likes of Andy Cruz, Sofiane Oumiha, Hector Luis Garcia, Albert Batrygaziev, Lazaro Alvarez and Murodjon Akhmadaliev within the unpaid ranks.
Since making his skilled debut in February 2022, Asanau has largely boxed in Germany earlier than teaming up with EOTT. He feels he’s now absolutely acclimated to the skilled code.
“It’s totally different, within the professionals you have got an extended distance and within the amateurs it’s like a dash,” he defined. “It is a marathon, I like this, I like a marathon. The factor is I must be sensible and targeted in all of the rounds.”
Going through somebody as seasoned and battle-hardened as Rueda ought to current “The Wasp” with a brand new set of issues and will present him with a problem.
“He’s a great man, he’s skilled, he’s powerful and has energy,” stated Asanau. “Lets see, I’m targeted. I have to do my factor within the ring, that’s my job. We did a great job with the staff for this struggle to win.”
The target is easy however runs deeper.
“To get a win,” he stated earlier than explaining. “For me, I get a great end result when my father calls me after the struggle and say, ‘Hey, good job.’ and the coaches the identical.”
Eye of The Tiger President Camille Estephan acknowledges that Asanou has untaped potential to gatecrash the talent-rich light-weight division.
“He’s combating for a title [WBC Continental Americas,] he a possibility to maneuver within the rankings,” stated Estephan. “He has the expertise and achievements within the amateurs. He’s crushed some professionals which are good however that is solely his ninth struggle.
“Now we have very excessive expectations on this man. This struggle will inform us extra however we really feel he’s prepared. He’s carried out his camp right here, we’ve seen his work ethic within the fitness center, he’s a disciplined, hard-working man. I like his strategy to boxing, he’s very sensible, very clever. Among the finest boxers are clever. He’s bought all that.”
Rueda (38-2, 32 KOs) turned skilled in 2011. He gained WBO regional and South American featherweight titles and went unbeaten in his first 26 fights earlier than shedding to Oscar Valdez (TKO 2) once they contested the vacant WBO title in 2016.
The Argentine fighter bought again within the win column with 11 wins earlier than shedding to future world title challenger Liam Wilson (UD 10) in Australia, however has since rebounded with a win.
Iglesias-Ivanov, plus undercard bouts, can be on ESPN+ and punchinggrace.com at 6.30 p.m. ET/ 3.30 p.m. PT and on TVA Sports activities in Canada from 7:00 p.m.
Questions and/or feedback may be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
