Evgeny Tishchenko Has Dreams of Becoming Russia’s Next World Champion!
With Perestroika and the end of communism in 1991, opportunities opened for boxers from the former Soviet Union to leave the old amateur system. No longer constricted by the old Soviet Communist bloc, a plethora of fighters from Russia ventured out for professional glory and fame. Success soon followed. In the 1990s and 2000’s the likes of Yuri Arbachakov and Kostya Tszyu went on to win world titles and have lengthy world championship reigns.
Their accomplishments paved the way for current Russian world champions like IBF middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin, WBA light heavyweight champ Dmitry Bivol, and unified light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
RELATED: Artur Beterbiev: “We Will Say ‘Yes’ To A Canelo Fight!”
FOLLOWING FOOTSTEPS OF PREDECESSORS
The next fighter from Russia with dreams of winning a world title is cruiserweight prospect Evgeny Tishchenko (8-0, 6 KOs). His amateur pedigree is as impressive as it gets. The 29-year-old Staroderevyankovskaya, Russia’s won a heavyweight gold medal at the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Olympics.
After a stint in the World Boxing Super Series, Tishchenko turned pro in August 2019. A 6’5” southpaw, he cuts an impressive figure with a large frame. Multi-dimensional would be a way to describe his style based on video observation of his fights.
One of his best attributes is the ability to control distance. The jab is excellent. His inside fighting skills are more than adequate for such a tall fighter. He knows how to use length, strength, and leverage to force his will on his opponents. He also has the requisite footwork to cut the ring off against moving targets.
Given his age, he can’t afford to waste time if he wants to win a world title. Ranked 15th by the WBC, his handlers are moving him at a rapid pace.
BETTING ON YOURSELF
On March 27, 2021, Tishchenko will face what is clearly the toughest test of his career. The southpaw will meet former world title challenger Thabiso Mchunu (22-5, 13 KOs) at the RCC Boxing Academy in Ekaterinburg, Russia. It’s a WBC cruiserweight title eliminator. This bout can be seen on the RCC: MMA & Boxing YouTube channel with coverage starting at 8:30 AM ET.
Mchunu is ranked #1 by the WBC. He’s fought and lost to former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and current WBC world champion Ilunga “Junior” Makabu.
In business and in boxing, you can’t be successful without taking risks. Team Tishchenko is doing exactly that in facing Mchunu. But they’re doing so on home soil. They also know that a win means an eventual world title shot against Makabu. For the man hoping to be the latest incarnation of professional world champion from Russia, it’s worth the gamble!
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
