On Friday, January 7, 2022, power-punching WBC #13 and WBO #14 light heavyweight contender Ali Izmailov will return to action in a tough match-up against transplanted Panamanian veteran Israel Duffus on the untelevised undercard of the ShoBox: The New Generation 2022 kickoff episode (9 p.m. ET/PT) from the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Fla.
Izmailov (6-0, 4 KOs), from Malgobek, Russia, and Duffus (20-7, 17 KOs), now living in Los Angeles, will be fighting in support of the history-making ShoBox event in which, for the first time in the 20-plus year history of the series, all six fighters enter fight night without a loss.
āThe Rumble at Caribe Royale,ā presented by Sampson Boxing (Ali Izmailov appears courtesy of Salita Promotions), will see the Dominican Republic battle Puerto Rico in the 10-round featherweight main event, as Puerto Plataās Luis āThe Twistā Nunez (15-0, 11 KOs) meets Trujillo Altoās Carlos āThe Chosen Oneā Arrieta (14-0, 8 KOs) in the middle of the ring. The co-feature pits the Dominican Republicās Starling Castillo (16-0, 12 KOs) against County of Georgiaās Otar Eranosyan (10-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. And in the telecast opener, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos (13-0, 12 KOs) battles William āThe Silent Assassinā Foster III (12-0, 8 KOs) of New Haven, Conn., in an eight-round super featherweight showdown.
A fast-rising force in the light heavyweight division, the 28-year-old Izmailov was last seen making his US ring debut at the Performance Arts Center in Dearborn, Mich., in October of this year, with an impressive two-round demolition of James Ballard (pictured above courtesy of My Art My Rules). Now residing in the United States, the fight with Duffus will be Izmailovās second with new trainer John David Jackson.
āI am twice the fighter I was last time you saw me,ā said Izmailov through an interpreter. āI have had more time to work with John David Jackson and with all that he is teaching me, I have become a new kind of animal. You will see me destroy to the head and body with non-stop intelligent pressure.ā
A former WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Champion, 29-year-old opponent Duffus went on a recent eight-fight winning streak, culminating with his title-winning victory in June 2018; a second-round stoppage of Mexicoās Victor Alfonso Leon. Never one to turn down a challenge, even internationally, three of Duffusā last four opponents have been undefeated contenders.
āHow he did against them will show you how good I am,ā said Izmailov. āIām going to tear him apart. Should I demolish him if I can or just bash on him until he quits? I will be throwing with power from new angles and in beautiful combinations. My left hook to the liver is going to really hurt.ā
āAli is a blue-chip contender, he is a skilled boxer and a big puncher,ā said his promoter, Dmitriy Salita. āHe is fighting the durable and very experienced Israel Duffus in only his seventh professional fight. An impressive win will show the boxing fans that Ali is on the fast track to a world title.ā