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A Russian kickboxer and former special forces soldier in Auckland for the Kings of Oceania tournament this weekend is also looking to front Kiwi heavyweight Shane Cameron for his boxing belts.
But his prospects are not looking particularly likely if comments from Cameron's manager are anything to go on.
Alexander "Sasha" Ustinov is 2.05 metres tall and weighs in around 132kg in comparison to Cameron's 1.85m and 108kg. As for their professional fights record, Ustinov, 30, stands at 5-0 while Cameron, 29, comes in at 18-0.
"When he's had 15 pro fights, he can probably give us a call," Cameron's manager, Ken Reinsfield, said.
The Gisborne-born heavyweight received some good news yesterday from doctors reviewing the operation he had to repair a bone broken in his right hand when fighting Australian Bob Mirovic. Although wires still need to be removed, the bone has realigned perfectly and Cameron intends to be ready to fight by the end of June. Reinsfield said once they were sure the hand was right, they would be seeking an opponent with Cameron's International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific and World Boxing Association Pan African belts on the line.
Cameron is ranked 14 for the IBF and one more defence of the WBA title should see him move into the top 15 there too, putting him in line to face higher-ranked boxers meeting the requirement to fight at least once every 12 months.
Ustinov would not be a smart move for Cameron now, unless there was major money, which could be a possibility in the future. The Russian is negotiating to sign with German promoters Arena Boxing, guaranteeing big crowds and TV deals in Europe.
Ustinov, who spent five years in the Russian special forces, fights local Matt Samoa in the Kings of Oceania tournament at the ASB Showgrounds on Saturday, with sparring partner Alexei Ignashov also featuring.
Intrigue surrounds the sport of K-1 locally with New Zealand rights-holder and promoter Dixon McIver in dispute with the Japanese after events held here last year. The Japanese claim McIver owes them $146,000 but he told the Herald he owed nothing and the monetary claim had come after stalled negotiations for a long-term deal for K-1 fights here.
The fall-out has also split McIver and Auckland-born, LA-based K-1 fighter Ray Sefo, who jointly own the Ray Sefo Academy and Planet Health gym. McIvor said the business was "haemorrhaging" and would be sold.
