Former three-division world champion Jorge Linares of Venezuela left Japan for Russia on Feb. 12 to face World Boxing Council silver lightweight champion Zaur Abdullaev of Russia on Feb. 19 in Russia’s Ekaterinburg, according to Teiken Boxing Gym to which Linares belongs.

It will be the 36-year-old Linares’ first fight since losing to undefeated WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney of the United States last May in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the latter’s title. He is currently ranked sixth in the division by the WBC.

For his part, the WBC’s fourth-ranked Abdullaev, 27, will defend the silver lightweight title he won last September for the first time.

The scheduled 12-round title match will be held at Ekaterinburg’s RCC Boxing Academy.

Linares has a record of 47 wins, including 29 knockouts, against six losses, while Abdullaev has a 14-1 win-loss record with eight KOs.

Teiken gym quoted Linares as saying, ‘’My condition is good. I was able to turn in a good practice yesterday at the gym as my last practice before the departure. I am also in a good frame of mind. What is most important in the upcoming fight is to maintain stamina, and I was able to enhance stamina. My experience will also count. Since I have a lot of experience as a boxer, I know my fight plan as well as how to make a final adjustment. I have no worries in these respects.’’

‘’Since this kind of opportunity is rare, I will get off to a good start based on my speed and combination punches. If an opportunity offers, I will aim at a KO victory. If not, I will go the full distance so that I can earn a decision victory. In any event, having stamina will count a lot. It will be my first fight in nine months, and I am highly motivated. Since this will be my first experience in Russia, I am a little bit worried about the expected cold weather there (L), Linares added.
Photo by Teiken Boxing Gym