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November 4th's card in Kazan, Russia might just be one of the most interesting ones remaining in 2015. Headlined by a bout between Alexander Povetkin and Mariusz Wach, the event will see several of Russia's best cruiserweights in solid atchups.
WBA champion Denis Lebedev (27-2, 20 KO), who beat Youri Kayembre Kalenga earlier this year by unanimous decision, will face Lateef Kayode (21-0, 16 KO), returning to cruiserweight for the second time since his ill-fated stint at heavyweight. In addition, 2008 gold medalist Rakim Chakhkiev (23-1, 18 KO) will look for his fifth-straight knockout against veteran contender Ola Afolabi (21-4-4, 10 KO).
Gigaton-punching Dmitry Kudryashov (18-0, 18 KO) will also be in action, though an opponent has not yet been announced. WBC champion Grigory Drozd was scheduled to defend his title against Ilunga Makabu before being forced out due to injury.
No word on whether they'll put Kudryashov and Makabu together for insane knockout action. We can dream.
Povetkin (29-1, 21 KO), who is Deontay WIlder's mandatory, has knocked out three solid opponents since being battered by Wladimir Klitschko in 2013, most recently smashing Mike Perez in one round. The massive Wach (31-1, 17 KO) has earned four wins of his own since losing to Klitschko and being suspended for a failed drug test.
Wach doesn't have much besides his size and durability going for him, but hey: at least he's a better warm-up than Wilder's choice.
It's a solid, well-matched card from top to bottom, featuring two of my personal favorites in Lebedev and Kudryashov. Not bad at all.