Boxing: Andrei Mikhailovich locked in for pre-Christmas IBF world title eliminator in UK

Andrei Mikhailovich celebrates after defeating Edisson Saltarin. Photo / Photosport

A world title elimination fight is finally locked in for Andrei Mikhailovich.

After a prolonged negotiation period, the undefeated Kiwi middleweight out of Auckland’s Peach Boxing stable has been confirmed for a December 16 bout against Germany’s Denis Radovan in the UK.

Mikhailovich is ranked fourth with the IBF, with a potential victory over third-ranked Radovan earning him a fight for the organisation’s world title against unified middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, from Kazakhstan.

Also ranked seventh with the WBO, the 25-year-old New Zealander took his pro record to 20-0 in April with a fifth-round knockout of Venezuela’s Edisson Saltarin in Auckland.

Mikhailovich’s promoter Dean Lonergan, of D&L Events, told the Herald earlier this month he was excited by the prospect of the clash with Radovan.

“Andrei’s like a thoroughbred racehorse who just wants to run and run and run. Isaac Peach has done a big job of keeping him under control, keeping him training hard and I know for a fact he’s training his arse off.

“He really wants this ... we think he’s good enough to win it.”

If he does, it would set up a mighty challenge.

Alimkhanuly, who has already held the WBO title, became a unified champion 10 days ago with a brutal sixth-round knockout of IBF belt-holder Vincenzo Gualtieri in Texas.

The result moved the hard-hitting Kazakh southpaw to 15-0 as a pro, 10 of those coming via knockout.

Mikhailovich’s fight against Radovan is likely to take place in Sunderland, northeast England.

Former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor’s return fight is expected to be the main event, after he lost his WBO and The Ring world titles to Teofimo Lopez earlier this year.