Given the present political situation, it’s hard to imagine a pugilistic affair between fighters from the States and Russia taking place in the latter.
Still, that is exactly what was announced today by Khetag Tzopanov of Pravda Boxing (“Pravda” means “truth” in Russian). Headliners are heavyweight power-hitters Dmitry “The Russian Hammer” Kudryashov and Sam “The Hillybilly Hammer” Shewmaker, and their clash, labeled “The Battle of Hammers,” is scheduled to take place in Vladikavkaz, Russia, on April 27.
Kudryashov, 37, transformed into a full-blown heavyweight in 2022 after years of cruiserweight competition. He is best known for his devastating power, having scored stoppage wins (including chilling one-punch kayos) in 24 of his 25 wins. This included back-to-back first-round KOs of former long-time WBC king Juan Carlos Gomez and long-time 200lb contender Francisco Palacios.
Kudryashov’s downside at one point was his fragility as he was stopped by Yuniel Dorticos for the WBA 200lb title and also by Olanrewaju Durodola and Illunga Makabu. However, he managed to go the distance in his last three losses against some hard-punching opponents, namely Evgeny Romanov, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Evgeny Tischenko, and rapidly-rising prospect Soslan Asbarov. Kudryashov is 25-6-0, with 24 KOs.
The Hillybilly Hammer, although one-year older than Kudryashov, has less pugilistic experience. His ledger reads 5-1, without stoppage wins and a single stoppage loss to James McKenzie Morrison (the son of Tommy “The Duke” Morrison), in 2017-2019 fighting in the mid-Western circuit. He hasn’t fought since – as a prizefighter. But he acquired additional experience as a bare-knuckle fighter, proclaimed by some to be “the hardest puncher in the-knuckle history”.
“I’m sure that even the feeling of this fight coming, even this anticipation will not make anyone indifferent,” commented Tzopanov. “Kudryashov is one of the most popular Russian fighters, who repeatedly proved his class. Shewmaker is a serious athlete and a flamboyant person capable of delivering a show. Anyway, it’s a heavyweight fight, and a single punch that both of them possess might end it in the glimpse of an eye.”
“I heard that Sam is a tough guy. But I’m also a country boy, I know what it takes,” added Kudryashov. “I’ve overcome my health issues, and I’m fine now. I’m actively preparing for this fight with my coach Andrey Ivichuk. Come the fight’s day, I’ll be ready to hit Sam with my knuckles instead of my hammer”.
By ALEXEY SUKACHEV