Dzmitry Asanau (left) and Matias Rueda (right) pose with promoter Camile Estephan (centre) – Photo by Vincent Ethier
Former amateur standout Dzmitry Asanau will have his second fight under the Eye of the Tiger banner on Thursday.
The 28-year-old fighter born in Belarus will face former world title challenger Matias Rueda at Montreal Casino, Montreal.
“This is my ninth fight as a professional, every fight I study and this fight will be a good experience for me as well,” Asanou (8-0, 3 knockouts) told The Ring. “Amateur style and professional style are different. I have to do my job in the ring.”
During his illustrious amateur career, Asanau, who had 280 fights, claimed bronze at the 2015 World Championships and fought at the 2016 Rio Olympics, losing in the Round of 16. More recently, he won gold at the European Games and Military Games.
He holds wins over the likes of Andy Cruz, Sofiane Oumiha, Hector Luis Garcia, Albert Batrygaziev, Lazaro Alvarez and Murodjon Akhmadaliev in the unpaid ranks.
Since making his professional debut in February 2022, Asanau boxed largely in Germany before teaming up with EOTT. He feels he has now fully embraced the professional code.
“It’s different, in the pros you have a longer distance and in the amateurs it’s like a sprint,” he explained. “It’s a marathon, I like this, I like a marathon. The thing is I have to be smart and focused in all the rounds.”
Facing someone as seasoned and tough as Rueda should present “The Wasp” with a new set of problems and should present him with a challenge.
“He’s a good guy, he’s experienced, he’s tough and he’s got strength,” Asanau said. “Let’s see, I’m focused. I have to do my thing in the ring, that’s my job. We did a good job with the team to win this battle.”
The goal is simple, but goes deeper.
“To get a win,” he said before explaining. “For me, I get a good result when my dad calls me after the fight and says, ‘Hey, good job.’ and the coaches the same.”
Camille Estephan, president of Eye of The Tiger, admits that Asanou has untapped potential to destroy the talent-rich lightweight division.
“He’s fighting for a (WBC Continental Americas) title, and an opportunity to move up the rankings,” Estephan said. “He has the talent and achievements in the amateurs. He’s beaten some pros which is good, but this is only his ninth fight.
“We have very high expectations of this man. This fight will tell us more, but we feel he is ready. He’s done his camp here, we’ve seen his work ethic in the gym, he’s a disciplined, hard-working guy. I like his approach to boxing, he’s very smart, very intelligent. Some of the best boxers are intelligent. He has it all.”
Rueda (38-2, 32 KOs) turned professional in 2011. He won WBO regional and South American featherweight titles and went undefeated in his first 26 fights before losing to Oscar Valdez (TKO 2) when they contested the vacant WBO title in 2016.
The Argentine fighter got back into the win column with 11 wins before losing to future world title challenger Liam Wilson (UD 10) in Australia, but has since bounced back with a win.
Iglesias-Ivanov, plus undercard bouts, will be on ESPN+ and punchinggrace.com at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT and on TVA Sports in Canada starting at 7:00 PM
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at (email protected).
