IBA PRO 19 will feature a unique blend of professional boxing and bare-knuckle action on 11 July at the VTB Arena, showcasing two highly anticipated IBA Bare Knuckle contests on the main card.

One of the contests will feature Vyacheslav Meshcherkin (RUS), known as “Mad Bull,” against Elmar Huseynov (AZE), known as “El Mario.”

Meshcherkin represents the Storm school founded by Alexander Shlemenko and holds a professional bare-knuckle record of 9-5, while his opponent enters the bout with a 5-1 bare-knuckle record. The matchup is scheduled for three two-minute rounds at a 73kg catchweight.

Fans will also see Vitaly Starykh (RUS), known as “Ancient,” face Maksim Gorbatko (RUS), known as “Scar.”

Starykh holds a professional bare-knuckle record of 4-2-1 and has previously challenged for a major bare-knuckle title. Gorbatko enters the bout unbeaten in bare-knuckle competition at 2-0. Their contest will be held at an 89kg catchweight and is also scheduled for three two-minute rounds.

The main classic boxing event of the night features WBA heavyweight world champion Murat Gassiev (RUS) defending his title against Peter Kadiru (GER). Kadiru was confirmed as Gassiev’s new opponent after Tony Yoka (FRA) withdrew from the bout due to a back injury.

In the co-main event, Artem Suslenkov (RUS) will face Joe Joyce (GBR) in a 12-round heavyweight bout for the WBA Continental title.

Tickets for IBA PRO 19 are available now via the official ticketing page.