Olympic Bronze medalist Artem Harutyunyan (9-0) takes center stage against former World title challenger Oliver Flores (30-3-2) for the vacant WBA International Lightweight title this Saturday from the Universum Gym in Hamburg, Germany.
Harutyunyan represented Germany at the Rio Olympic Games and previously at the Minsk European Championships, winning the Bronze medal on both occasions.
Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Harutyunyan immigrated to Hamburg at a young age going on to represent his adopted nation during a distinguished amateur career.
Flying in too upset the party is the seasoned Nicaraguan, Oliver Flores.
With 19 stoppage wins to his name, Flores poses as Harutyunyan’s toughest test to date.
A former WBA Super world title challenger, coming up short against Takashi Uchiyama in Japan, Flores is now 3-0 in his last three bouts, the last two coming via stoppage.
Playing chief support to the evening’s entertainment is a ten-round contest in the Super-Lightweight division. Timo Schwarzkopf (20-4) of Germany will face Vage Sarukhanyan (20-2-2) fighting out of Russia.
Schwarzkopf was last in action going the distance against Jack Catterall in Dubai, coming out the wrong side in a ten-round decision loss.
Armenian, Sarukhanyan is four fights undefeated since a loss to Hurricane Futa in Russia.
Someones 0 has got to go when Rostam Ibrahim (6-0) puts it all the line against Latin Zogaj (7-0) in the Light Heavyweight division.
A local grudge match with the pair both fighting out of Germany, complementing the very top of the card.
Albanian Heavyweight, Senad Gashi (20-3) will be looking to continue his recent good form with three stoppages in his last three fights.
Undefeated German, Dominic Vial (6-0) stands in the way of Gashi’s first fight back since injury disrupted his latest assault on the Heavyweight division last year.
Highly-rated Cuban amateur, Frank Zaldivar (1-0) will make his Universum debut since relocating to Germany to sign with the Hamburg-based outfit.
Rafael Bejaran (26-5-1) takes on Florian Wildenhof (30-6-1) at 168lbs.
Switzerland’s Eris Bajra (1-0) continues the beginning of his professional career along with local talents; Dilar Kisikyol (3-0), Yusuf Atmis (1-0), Muhammet Barut (5-1), Ajdin Reiz (5-0), Darian Yasar (7-0) and Ilias Kallouch (1-0).
The full event can be seen live on FITE this Saturday, 24th April, or on BILD in Germany.
