Osleys Iglesias looks for a more stern test in clash vs Petro Ivanov on Thursday
06/11/2024 16:37
Less is more.
That is certainly the case with rising super middleweight contender Osleys Iglesias.
The Cuban destroyer has left a trail of destruction in his wake. He has fought three times this year and taken out very respectable company in a combined four rounds.
Iglesias will return in arguably his toughest test to date when he meets unbeaten Petro Ivanov at the Montreal Casino, Montreal, on Thursday.
“It’s an interesting fight, a really good boxing fight,” Iglesias (12-0, 11 knockouts) told The Ring through translator Bilal Tutunji Diaz. “Two different styles, a good show, an aggressive fight.
“I come into this fight like I usually do, to win, but everything is with the grace of God. We’re going to get the same result as we got in the last three fights.
“I feel really good coming into this fight. I trust the process in my training to get to the goal to become undisputed champion. From now to there, we’re on a good run.”
Iglesias, rated at No. 3 by The Ring at super middleweight, certainly doesn’t believe in overtime.
He has more than lived up to his nickname “The Tornado.”
“I am really proud and happy about it,” he said of his recent form. “I’ve come from far, a little town back in Cuba and I was never expected to get this far but today I am where I wanted to be and am living the dream.
“I feel great, the punch is the punch, I know I am a powerful puncher but at the end of the day, I am happy I won.”
Despite his recent trio of early finishes, Iglesias claims the knockout is not his objective going into the fight.
“It’s not something I look for,” he said. “It’s a boxing fight, I get ready for round after round. You’ve got to be smart and focused and if the opportunity comes we’re going to take it.
“I am always looking at 12 rounds, but the more the fight progresses you can see he’s getting weaker and with a good corner we can take the decision to end the fight.”
As well as his opposition, he has left a big impression on Eye of The Tiger President Camille Estephan.
“We’re excited about him, so far everything we have seen points in the direction of a superstar,” said Estephan. “He has the height, the reach, the power, the skill, he has the work ethic, he has a great team around him, he’s disciplined, he’s hungry.
“I think Ivanov is a very tough opponent, he’s very good. I think he’s probably going to test Osley.”
Ivanov (18-0-2, 13 KOs) turned professional in 2014 in his native Ukraine. His two career blemishes came versus former amateur standount Ramil Gadzhyiev and unbeaten Igor Kudrytskyi.
He upset touted French fighter Louis Toutin via ninth-round knockout on the road in his opponent's France backyard. He has since relocated to Germany and has reeled off nine consecutive wins.
Iglesias-Ivanov, plus undercard bouts, will be on ESPN+ and punchinggrace.com at 6.30 p.m. ET/ 3.30 p.m. PT and on TVA Sports in Canada from 7:00 p.m.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk.
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