Avtandil Khurtsidze-Nobuhiro Ishida, WBC Belt on 12/17

%foto2%It is on. Former WBA (interim) light middleweight titleholder Nobuhiro Ishida (23-6-2, 8 KOs), who acclaimed international fame after vaporizing highly regarded James Kirkland in just a round, will try to repeat this trick against possibly a harder opponent. On Dec. 17 in Zaporizhyya, Ukraine, the lanky (6’1’’) Japanese stylist will clash his horns with 5’4’’ Gerogian bomber Avtandil “Tornado” Khurtsidze (26-2-2, 17 KOs). The vacant WBC Silver 160lb belt will be at stake in the main event of the show, being arranged by Elite Boxing Promotions. 32-year old Khurtsidze, ranked #10 by the IBF and #12 by the WBO, is also the IBO middleweight champion. Best known for his spirited albeit unsuccessful (duibiously) recent outing against undefeated Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, Khurtsidze has annihilated both Jason LeHoullier and Dionisio Miranda in less than three rounds in his most recent outings. WBO #9 and WBC #11 ranked Japanese Ishida is thriving after a rocky start (7-4-1 in the first twelve bouts) his career. His positive resume includes world-ranked opponents Marco Antonio Avendano (twice) and Javier Alberto Mamani, and he has also defeated capable local rival Akira Ohigashi early in his career. In co-featured bout of the evening, Samara-based Armenian Karen Tevosyan (19-3-3, 10 KOs) will test unbeaten local stylist Victor Postol (15-0, 8 KOs) in a twelve-rounder for the vacant WBC International light welterweight Silver title. Local cruiserweight prospect Dmytro Kucher (13-0, 10 KOs) and Russian hopeful Marat Kulumbegov (3-0, 2 KOs) will be featured in the undercard of the show. boxingscene