Aleksejevs v Abdulaev. IBO European title fight preview

MightyTips ambassador and unbeaten pro boxer Jevgenijs ‘The Hurricane’ Aleksejevs will fight Germany’s Misto Adbulaev for the vacant IBO European middleweight title.

The Latvian hitman Aleksejevs will be looking to protect his impressive 16-0-0 record against an experienced lefty who took a pro boxing career break in late 2019 and returned triumphantly this March.

The fight will headline the Trofeu de Boxing Fira de Canals event held at Pabellon Municipal in Canals, Valencia on September 28. Aleksejevs and Abdulaev will take the ring after 23:00 local time and contest across ten rounds, each lasting three minutes.

First title shot for Jevgenijs Aleksejevs

The 31-year-old Latvian coached by Roman Anuchin was last seen triumphing over Marcelo German Rodriguez in Valencia on April 20, 2024, confidently winning by TKO in the fourth round.

Born in Riga, Aleksejevs is a former kickboxer and a junior European champion in 2008, however, a leg fracture in 2015 forced him to switch disciplines. Standing at 6’0”/183cm, ‘The Hurricane’ made his professional debut 11 years ago and boasts a KO rate of 56.25%.

He is renowned for his counterpunching ability and often dominates during the later rounds. With a BoxRec ranking of 107, this is his first title-winning shot and he’ll be keen to enhance his reputation as one of the sport’s fast-rising stars.

Misto Adbulaev is on the rise again

Despite being three years older than Aleksejevs, Adbulaev is less experienced in the ring with 11 pro bouts against The Hurricane’s 16. However, he is extremely dangerous having claimed ten KOs in those 11 fights.

Born in Armenia, the Niedersachsen-based boxer has a current ranking of 242 with BoxRec. In his most recent fight, he knocked out Kevin Kirchner in Wolfenbuttl earlier this year. The former UBF European middleweight champion boasts an incredibly powerful left-handed jab, although he was forced to undergo surgery on his hand back in 2018.

Where to watch

Check this space before the fight for the streaming link.

What did they say

Jevgenijs Aleksejevs:

I think this is the most important fight of my life. The IBO European Championship title is at stake. My opponent is undefeated. I reckon he doesn’t like to lose. But I’m going there for what’s mine, and he will have to lose for the first time.

Misto Abdulaev:

I look forward to having a great fight and a good chance to win the title. I will come for a win and bring the belt to Germany.

What is IBO

Based in the US, the International Boxing Organization (IBO) is an independent sanctioning body that sanctions and oversees professional boxing matches worldwide. In addition to world champions, IBO recognises regional champions including the Inter-Continental champion.

It is not recognised by the "big four" governing bodies (WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO). Despite this, as of 2023, the IBO title is unified with three of the four (WBA, IBF, and WBO) in several weight divisions. Several boxing legends including Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Tyson Fury have successfully been awarded IBO belts.