Arsen Goulamirian and Aleksei Egorov could fight some time in November
The reign of WBA ‘super’ cruiserweight champion Arsen Goulamirian is something of an enigma. Moreover, he finds himself in a familiar situation: being part of the winning purse bid against the WBA Gold Champion Aleksei Egorov (11-0, 7ko). Going by his track record, the biggest question is, “will the fight happen?”
A PURSE DOES NOT MEAN A FIGHT IS GUARANTEED
Goulamirian has been running through the division with an unblemished record of 26-0, 18 KO’s. In 2018, he won the interim title against current WBA ‘regular’ champion Ryad Merhy. This victory would setoff a chain of events that has had many boxing pundits scratching their heads.
In 2019, the WBA ordered a fight between then WBA ‘regular’ champion Beibut Shumenov. The fight was set to take place after legendary promoter Don King won the purse bid. However, King’s failure to fulfill the terms of the purse bid resulted in the WBA stripping Shumenov and elevating Goulamirian from interim to regular champion status.
Hold on, there is more. In another attempt at making a quality fight, the organization called for a purse bid with super champion Denis Lebedev. Both sides did come to some sort of agreement until the super champion abruptly retired out of nowhere. Once again, the organization elevated Goulamirian as the super champion.
Goulamirian had not been in the ring since 2018 and was elevated twice without so much as making a single title defense. Hence, why this author is skeptical of the fight happening after another winning purse bid.
THERE IS SOME HOPE
Egorov, fighting out of Russia, is a quality opponent with a solid amateur pedigree. Furthermore, his promotional team World of Boxing won the purse bid and the rights to promote the fight.
According to the WBA, the World of Boxing promotional company has already provided three optional dates and venues. They are looking at a few dates in November for Moscow, Paris, and Monte Carlo as host locations.
Despite the failed attempts of purse bids in the past, there is a ray of hope Goulamirian will be making a second defense of the title.
By: Garrisson Bland
