Promoter Tom Loeffler has met many fighters through the years.
From Oba Automotive, Kevin Kelley, Shane Mosley, the Klitschko brothers and Gennadiy Golovkin, Loeffler acknowledges expertise when he sees it.
If there’s one fighter he thinks can win a world championship belt, it is mild heavyweight Umar Dzambekov.
The embellished fan will tackle fellow undefeated Kwame Ritter on Saturday night time on the Chumash On line casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif. The eight-round bout will precede the principle occasion bout between junior middleweight contender Serhii Bohachuk and Patrick Allotey.
Each fights can be streamed reside on UFC Battle Move (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT).
Dzambekov (5-0, 4 KOs), who was born in Grozny, Russia and emigrated to Austria, the place he excelled in boxing as an novice. He was 9 occasions novice champion in Austria, lastly making his skilled debut in July 2021.
The 25-year-old would make his skilled debut in Southern California on January 27, knocking out beforehand undefeated Anthony Fleming. In his final combat on June 9, Dzambekov knocked out Crispulo keeper Javier Andino within the third spherical.
Loeffler expects quite a bit from Dzambekov. He preferred what he is seen thus far, even drawing comparisons to considered one of his most well-known counts.
“Umar is likely one of the most disciplined fighters I’ve labored with,” Loeffler lately advised The Ring. “He’s right here for boxing. Nearly like Gennadiy was with (coach) Abel Sanchez was at Massive Bear (Lake). All Gennadiy was doing up there was coaching, consuming and specializing in boxing. Similar with Umar. I actually admire that from Umar. He’s very devoted along with his objectives in boxing.
Dzambekov is grateful for Loeffler’s help.
“It is nice,” Dzambekov advised The Ring. “It exhibits he has that confidence in me. The one factor I’ve to do is put in my work and get the wins.
Regardless of the opposition he has confronted thus far, Dzambekov has displayed a powerful ability set to enhance his punching energy. His punches have an effect, however Dzambekov goals to interrupt his opponent
“As quickly as I get the prospect I’ll attempt to end it for positive,” mentioned Dzambekov, who’s coached by Marvin Somodio. “My model is to interrupt somebody down and end them. I do not rush issues, that is what I will say. As quickly as I get the prospect, I will end (a fighter) for positive.
Boxing’s high two mild heavyweights have unified titleholder Artur Betebiev and WBA titleholder Dmitry Bivol.
Dzambekov understands he is simply getting began as an expert and might want to enhance, however he aspires to grow to be top-of-the-line fighters at 175 kilos and win a world title belt.
“All the time attempt to do higher than anybody else,” Dzambekov mentioned. “These two are on high proper now. They’re world champions. I feel (if) I acquire expertise as a professional, in (about) two years I can be on the identical stage. That is how I really feel.”
Since transferring to Southern California, the place he resides in Los Angeles, Dzambekov has settled in and tailored properly to the life-style. One factor he excelled at was the quantity of sparring and commentary on the famed Wild Card Health club in close by Hollywood.
Dzambekov fought with high junior middleweight prospect Callum Walsh, however he absorbed a number of data combating undefeated contenders and fighters.
Whereas he enjoys the sights and sounds of Southern California, Dzambekov is aware of he has a job to do, and that features defeating Ritter (10-0, 8 KOs) and transferring ahead in his profession.
“Within the earlier coaching camp, I educated quite a bit with Gabe Rosado. It was nice. He is (now) retired from boxing. It was a extremely good expertise that I had. A whole lot of fighters come to Wild Card to coach. I do not know their names. to Europe.
“I’ve been right here for 11 months in whole. It received quite a bit higher. (I) nonetheless discover issues totally different, in comparison with Europe, however you get used to it. It is good. I actually prefer it right here. I just like the local weather, the place the place I reside, the folks. Everyone seems to be pleasant. It’s totally different from Europe. An important factor, the explanation I am right here, is boxing. There is no higher place to be, boxing-wise, than right here in Southern California.
Francisco A. Salazar has been writing for The Ring since October 2013 and has been masking boxing in Southern California and internationally since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Star newspaper in Ventura County, California. He could be reached at (email protected)
