Zak was originally scheduled to fight Stephen Nyamhanga in Dubai on the 13th, but Zak's team wanted to face a tougher opponent and give his injured hand some more time to recover. Zak has been blasting through experienced journeymen and the crude Nyamhanga likely wouldn't have posed much of a challenge.
Next up was Reinis Porozovs, an uber-experienced fighter from Latvia. The 35 year old has 43 professional boxing bouts under his belt, but is even more decorated as a kickboxer. Porozovs came down with an injury a couple of weeks ago leaving Artur Zlatopolsky and the Mireli Pro Boxing team a date this Friday in Georgia with no opponent. They finally found a tougher opponent than Zak has faced as a pro.
Fozilov is a 28 year old from Fergan, Uzbekistan. A decorated amateur, his pro career got off to a slow start during covid. He began his career 0-1-2 although his loss in his debut to Ivan Erkov was a bit unfair. Nicknamed B.F., Fozilov then stopped two lesser opponents: Carlos Takam and Nozimjon Tojiboev.
B.F. completely dominated Alan Dzhanaev, scoring two knockdowns, but Dzhanaev begged off with a cut early enough that the fight was ruled a technical draw. Fozilov entered the rematch with an uninspiring record of 2-1-3. A short right hook starched Dzhanaev in the first round. That dramatic KO started a streak of six stoppage victories for the southpaw Uzbek. He went the distance against Diego Ramirez in a battle of wide-punching lefties. But Fozilov has lost his last three fights.
Bakhromjon often had a height advantage at super middleweight, but he'll be the shorter man in this contest. He prefers to fight at distance, though he can take control of center ring and push forward against lesser competition. Against Vadim Tukov, Fozilov was the ring general for the first few rounds, but was then thoroughly outboxed down the stretch. Fozilov became so frustrated at Tukov's crafty movement that he ran after his Russian opponent and threw an illegal rabbit punch in the ninth round.
Pavel Sosulin struggled early in his fight against B.F. as well. He threw straight shots and stayed on the line while Fozilov found angles to work. Fozilov threw a nice straight left, a looping left, and a clubbing right. But Sosulin quickly broke down Fozilov with repeated left hooks to the body and forced Bakhromjon to quit after the fourth round for the only time in his career.
Fozilov is dangerous early in contests. He's a big puncher and has an awkward southpaw style. He's a master of distance. But he hasn't shown the ability to adjust later in fights. He doesn't jab much or work the body too often. Fozilov can be worn down and can be outboxed. Zak should be cautious early and then walk down the naturally smaller man.
Zak-Fozilov is scheduled for six rounds.
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