Rakhim Chakhkiev – Epifanio Mendoza Ready for WAR – Boxing News

WBC #5 cruiserweight Rakhim “The Machine” Chakhkiev (14-0, 11 KOs) will now face Epifanio Mendoza (34-14-1, 30 KOs) on Friday in Hamburg, Germany. Chakhkiev was originally slated to face Alejandro Valori (9-3, 6 KOs) who pulled out with a sparring injury. Mendoza has been losing more than winning lately, but he did stop unbeaten Olympian Carlos Negron last year in Puerto Rico. “Obviously it’s not ideal if an opponent pulls out at such short notice. I prepared for at least two months prior to this fight. Nevertheless, I am very pleased that our chief found a replacement so quickly and I can still get in the ring…and the fans can look forward to a knockout,” said Chakhkiev. The goal for the Chakhkiev Team is a championship fight by end of the year against WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.

Also in action Friday will be unbeaten world rated heavyweight Denis Boytsov (31-0, 25 KOs) against the “Sandmann” Konstantin Airich (23-7-2, 17 KOs) in what should be an excellent scrap.