Avtandil Khurtsidze
Avtandil Khurtsidze | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 May 1979 |
| Nationality | Georgian |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Middleweight |
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
| Reach | 185 cm (73 in) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 37 |
| Wins | 33 |
| Wins by KO | 21 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Draws | 2 |
Avtandil Khurtsidze (Georgian: ავთანდილ ხურციძე; born 2 May 1979) is a Georgian professional boxer who held the interim WBO middleweight title in 2017.[1] He is trained by Andre Rozier and shares a gym with former world champion Daniel Jacobs.[2]
Professional career
Khurtsidze vs. Saunders and cancellation
In early February 2017, mandatory challenger Khurtsidze took a 'step-a-side' fee to allow Billy Joe Saunders to pursue a bigger fight.[3] On 28 February, it was announced that Khurtsidze would fight British boxer Tommy Langford for the vacant interim WBO title in April.[4]
After retaining his belts against Jacobs, Gennady Golovkin stated that he wanted to unify the middleweight division and hold all the belts available. Golovkin said, "My goal is all the belts in the middleweight division. Of course, Billy Joe is the last one. It is my dream." Rumors of the fight taking place in Golovkin's home country Kazakhstan in June during the EXPO 2017. The last time Golovkin fought in his home country was in 2010.[5] On 20 March, Golovkin said that he would fight Saunders in his native Kazakhstan or the O2 Arena in London.[6]
Saunders tweeted on social media that although he didn't watch Golovkin's fight with Jacobs, he was ready to fight him.[7] Saunders claimed to have signed the contract on his end and gave Golovkin a deadline to sign his.[8] On 29 March, Frank Warren also stated that Golovkin would have ten days to sign for the fight.[9] Saunders later claimed to have moved on from Golovkin, until Warren said the deal was still in place.[10] Over the next week, Saunders continued to insult Golovkin through social media.[11] On 7 April, Warren told iFL TV, that Golovkin had a hand iunjury, which was the reason why the fight hadn't been made. In the interview, he said, "At the moment, they’re saying that Golovkin’s injured. So we’re waiting to see where this is all going. But as far as I’m concerned, we agreed [to] terms." It was also noted that he would wait until 6 May, for any updates.[12] On 11 April, it was reported that the fight would not take place and Golovkin would ultimately focus on a September 2017 fight against Canelo Alvarez.[13]
On 22 April 2017, Khurtsidze knocked Langford out in round 5 with a left hook to secure his next fight against Saunders.[14] A day later the fight between Saunders and Khurtsidze was discussed to take place at the Copper Box in London on 8 July 2017.[15] On 8 June, Khurtsidze was arrested in New York along with 32 others, linking him in a Russian and Georgian crime syndicate. Racketeer charges and conspiracy to commit fraud were the two alleged charges, Promoted Lou DiBella said, whilst the fight wouldn't be completely called off, it would be postponed.[16][17] Due to the fight being a mandatory defence, Saunders' promoter Frank Warren said that he was unable to make a voluntary defence, as such, taken off the card completely, although the rest of the card would still take place.[18]
RICO indictment
On June 8, 2017, prosecutors from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York indicted Khurtsidze on charges of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a Russian organized crime syndicate operating in the New York City area. According to the indictment, Khurtsidze is alleged to have paid $17,800 for three cases of purportedly stolen cigarettes.[19][20]
Professional record
References
- ^ "Avtandil Khurtsidze". boxrec.com. December 25, 2015.
- ^ "Rozier: Khurtsidze Will Pressure, Beat Down Billy Joe Saunders! - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
- ^ "Khurtsidze expected to take step-aside money for Saunders - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-02-07. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ "Khurtsidze vs. Langford set for interim title". Bad Left Hook. 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ "Golovkin: Billy Joe Saunders is The Last One, It is My Dream! - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
- ^ "Billy Joe Saunders could fight Gennady Golovkin in London". Evening Standard. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
- ^ ""I'm ready!" – Saunders wants Golovkin unification". www.boxnation.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
- ^ Ltd, Vitalnetwork. "Vital Boxing | Saunders Gives Golovkin a Deadline". www.vitalboxing.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
- ^ "Frank Warren Hits Golovkin With Deadline To Ink Saunders Deal - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
- ^ "Saunders' Promoter: We Have NOT Moved On From Golovkin - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
- ^ BoxingNewsAndViews (2017-04-03). "Billy Joe Saunders T-Shirt Message For Gennady Golovkin - Boxing News". Boxing News and Views. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
- ^ "Warren: Golovkin Injury Holding Up Getting GGG-Saunders Done - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
- ^ "Report: Gennady Golovkin to skip June return and focus on Canelo Alvarez". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
- ^ "Tommy Langford beaten as Avtandil Khurtsidze sets up Billy Joe Saunders bout". BBC Sport. 2017-04-22. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ "Billy Joe Saunders vs. Avtandil Khurtsidze on July 8, Copper Box - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ "Avtandil Khurtsidze indicted on racketeering charges - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
- ^ "Billy Joe Saunders bout cancelled after Avtandil Khurtsidze arrest". BBC Sport. 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
- ^ "SAUNDERS V KHURTSIDZE UPDATE". Frank Warren. 2017-06-09. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
- ^ "Members And Associates Of Russian Crime Syndicate Arrested For Racketeering, Extortion, Robbery, Murder-For-Hire Conspiracy, Fraud, Narcotics, And Firearms Offenses". www.justice.gov. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
- ^ "Boxer Avtandil Khurtsidze indicted on federal racketeering, fraud charges". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
External links
- Boxing record for Avtandil Khurtsidze from BoxRec (registration required)