Undefeated Khariton Agrba and knockout specialist Jose Miguel Borrego are to face off in the main event of the IBA Champions’ Night Sochi on 3 March 2024, in a 10-round Eliminator for a chance to become the IBA Pro World Champion in the 67kg division.

The home favourite Agrba has 13 wins in 13 fights, previously winning the silver medal at the 2019 European Games in Minsk. Borrego has a 20-4 record, but crucially has 17 knockout victories, making him an unpredictable opponent.

The Russian has previous IBA Champions’ Night wins against South African Xolisani Ndongeni and Dulat Bekbauov of Kazakhstan, while Borrego defeated Kazakhstan’s Aslanbek Shymbergenov early in their Astana bout in December.

It will be one of eight matches on the card at the Academy of Martial Arts “Sirius”, beginning at 16:30, local time (GMT+3). The event is held within World Youth Festival in Sochi.

Two greats on the continent, three-time European silver medallist Gabil Memedov from Russia and European Games gold medallist Dzmitriy Asanau, meet in the penultimate fight of the night, with the winner being crowned the European champion in the 63.5kg weight category. The boxers have faced each other on three occasions and Asanau has come out on top each time.

One other eight-round bout is to take place between undefeated Russian Beshto Shavlaev and European Games bronze medallist Murad Allahverdiyev from Azerbaijan at 80kg.

Shavlaev made his IBA Champions’ Night debut against American Kwame Ritter in December, which ended with his arm raised. Allahverdiyev is set to make his IBA Champions’ Night debut.

World Championships bronze medallist Dmitry Dvali from Russia faces three-time world medallist and 2017 Asian champion Jasurbek Latipov of Uzbekistan in a six-round bout at 54kg, while Dvali’s compatriot Tarkhan Idigov is to make his IBA professional debut against world bronze medallist Misheelt Barrumur of Mongolia in the 67kg division.

The latest addition to the card sees former IBF Super Welterweight Champion Khuseyn Baysangurov from Russia meet Nigerian Taiwo Olowu at 66.7kg, another 10-round bout on the night.

An example of IBA’s focus on youth, 2023 European U22 Championships winner Cheerav Ashalaev from Russia and Uganda’s Shadiri Musa Bwogi compete against each other at 75kg.

The opener will be between Uzbekistan’s Odiljon Aslonov and Pele Sadoyan of Georgia. Aslonov will be looking to remain undefeated professionally, with seven wins and a draw to his name so far. Aslonov previously defeated the aforementioned Bwogi at 75kg at the 2023 IBA Champions’ Night in Serpukhov.

The official weigh-ins will take place on 3 March and all bouts will be streamed live on the night.iba.sport website.

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