Notícias esportivas

Andreas Katzourakis takes the fight to Kudratillo Abdukakhorov

by Francisco Salazar |

A new promoter, a new coach and a new hometown have paid dividends for Andreas Katzourakis, so far.

The undefeated Katzourakis hopes it can translate into winning the tournament and becoming a legitimate contender at 154 pounds.

Katzourakis will face Kudratillo Abdukakhorov tonight at the Red Owl Boxing Arena in Houston, Texas, where he currently resides. The 10-round bout will headline an OTX Boxing card that will air live on DAZN (8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT).

The Katzourakis-Abdukakhorov fight will follow another junior middleweight bout between undefeated Robert Terry and Estevan Villalobos. Both fights are part of The OTX Tournament, an eight-man tournament that already has two opening bouts decided last month.

The 26-year-old (12-0, 10 knockouts) stopped fighter Corey Caad after the third round of his last fight on January 20. In his last fight on August 25, the first under the OTX Boxing banner, Katzourakis defeated Raphael . Igbokew, stopping him in the eighth and final round. Katzourakis believes his skills have improved since working with trainer Ronnie Shields, a pair who have put together many of the best fights in the sport.

“People get the idea that I’m one type of fighter,” Katzourakis told The Ring Tuesday. “In my last few fights, I have shown to take my time to break down my opponents. I have a great trainer in Ronnie Shields, and I’m able to keep in good shape. It is an ongoing process where I have improved 110 percent.

“I’ve been fighting guys like (potential junior middleweight loser) Yoenis Tellez, (junior middleweight contender) Vito Mielnicki, Jr., (fringe middleweight contender) Marquis Taylor, and ( -super middleweight prospect) Lorenzo Simpson. It was an amazing camp in preparation for this fight because each fighter brought something to the table. I saw different styles from the top level.”

Katzourakis will take a major step up against Abdukakhorov (20-2, 12 KOs), who was ranked No. 1 when he faced Errol Spence, Jr. Uzbekistan-born Abdukakhorov also faced Errol Spence, Jr. -he also lost to welterweight contender Cody Crowley (2021) and Ve Shawn Owens (March of last year) before winning his last two fights.

After fighting his professional career as a middleweight, Katzourakis and his team decided to drop down to compete at 154 pounds, where he feels stronger and where, in terms of style, his skills are matched with some of the best middleweights. boxing.

“I’m really excited to fight him,” said Katzourakis, who lived in Los Angeles before moving to Houston three years ago. “He is an experienced player who fights for games. I know he was the one who had to deal with Errol Spence. He is a good fighter who tries to fight with a lot of punches, but he leaves himself open to be hit. I don’t see the war going far. His name will be good on my resume.

“I lost 154 kilos in weight. I want to make a name for myself. I am fighting a former challenger who is a compulsive weight gainer. It is important for me to take these opportunities.”

This opportunity was made possible by OTX Boxing, who started promoting the cards on DAZN. Most of their fight cards to date have taken place at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Katzourakis thanks OTX Boxing for the opportunity, where he realizes he will be a legitimate contender fighting in this arena.

“OTX Boxing has had an idea with me from the beginning,” said Katzourakis. “They were a company that wanted to sign me. The first shows I went to and wrestled were amazing. What I love most about OTX Boxing is that it gives everyone a chance to showcase their talent. They put on a very good fight. I wasn’t signed to a major promoter, but they’re allowing me to be a competitor by fighting in this tough competition that I’m in.”

Katzourakis is proud of his Greek heritage and hopes for a chance to fight in his homeland. Katzourakis was born in Greece before moving to the United States.

While soccer and basketball have emerged as popular sports in Greece, Katzourakis hopes to give the country some exciting boxing. He hopes to give boxing fans in this country a sense of pride and be a good role model for beginners in the sport.

“My work is very important to me. I would like to be world champion and put Greece on the boxing map. I want to show that I come from the same place, from the same novice program and they can succeed. It is very difficult, but if they can dream big, they can achieve anything.

“I want young players to see that they can also be world champions. This is the side of Greece that I want people to see.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has handled boxing in Southern California and internationally since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. They can be reached at [email protected]




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