The French, who had not been boxed for three years, beat the Russian points Aleksei Egorov, in the Cannet, to keep his belt in the heavy-light category.
MO12345lemonde with AFP
The judges were unanimous: the French Arsen Goulamirian has kept his WBA world belt of heavy goods vehicles by beating the Russian Aleksei Egorov on Saturday November 19 evening at the Cannet (Alpes-Maritimes).
The beginning of the fight was dominated by Egorov, against a tense Goulamirian after three years of waiting and postponement of fighting for all kinds of reasons. There was no hymn or Russian flag but the official challenger was not hooked by the public, in a context of war in Ukraine which weighs on the reputation of Russian sportsmen.
The fight, followed by nearly 4,000 people in the room of La Palestre, began to turn to the advantage of the 35 -year -old French, from the sixth recovery, when one of his right hooks Arrived in full in the face of Russian, a little shaken. But Egorov, 31, at the big record among amateurs and undefeated in pros before this fight – eleven victories, including seven before the limit – continued to resist while the pace increased, under the impulse of Goulamirian. He began to manage the last two times, the result being ensured.
only French holder of a global belt
In the end, the decision of the three judges leaning in favor of the French (117-111 twice, 116-112). His record is now twenty-seven victories, including eighteen before the limit, and no defeat.
“It feels good, but I’m not happy, because after three years of stopping, I was tense. But the main thing is victory and I know what I have to work, in the ‘Avenir, to find my level, “said Arsen Goulamirian who should have faced Egorov in December 2021 in Ekaterinburg, but the Frenchman had caught the COVVI-19 a few days before. The Russian had not been boxed for a long time since his last fight, opposite the Czech Vasil Ducar, dated March 12, 2020.
With this preserved title, Arsen Goulamirian remains the only Frenchman currently holding a global boxing belt.