By Ian S Palmer
Cruiserweights are back in action in the World Boxing Super Series as unbeaten Ruslan Fayfer of Russia meets undefeated Andrew Tabiti of Chicago, Illinois in Ekateringburg, Russia this Saturday, October 13th. The 12-round bout can be seen live in North America on DAZN. Fayfer last fought in June when he stopped Emmanuel Danso in the fourth round while Tabiti was last in action in May when he halted Lateef Kayode in the sixth round.
The 27-year-old Fayfer has been fighting as a pro since 2013 and has racked up a perfect record of 23-0 along with 16 Kos. He’s got 94 rounds of pro experience and owns a pair of heavy fists with a current knockout ratio of 70 per cent. He stands just over six feet tall, but unfortunately his reach is unlisted. He’s fought his entire career in Russia and Europe with most of his opponents being unknown to the average boxing fan.
If you have heard of any of his opponents they may be the likes of Yuriy Barashian, Gilberto Domingos, Andrei Kniazev, Fulgencio Zuniga, Cesar David Crenz and Junior Anthony Wright. Fayfer has won some regional titles along the way including the WBC Baltic Silver, the IBF International, and the WBA Asia Cruiserweight crowns. He hasn’t exactly taken on the best cruiserweights around as of yet as just 14 of his 23 opponents have had winning records.
Still, Fayfer has beaten everybody who’s been placed in front of him and he’s currently ranked number five in the world by the WBA, number two by the IBF, number 10 by the WBO and number 15 by the WBC. As for the 29-year-old Tabiti, he’s ranked fifth by the WBC and third by the IBF. Tabiti fights out of Las Vegas and is promoted by Floyd Mayweather. He’s also racked up a perfect record as he’s 16-0 and has 13 Ko’s to his name.
Tabiti went 32-6 as an amateur and was a semi finalist in the national Golden Gloves. He’s fought 64 rounds since turning pro back in 2013 and has captured the USBA and NABF Cruiserweight Titles along the way. Tabiti also has a pair of heavy fists with a current knockout ratio of 81 per cent. He stands 6-feet-1-inch tall and has a 76.5 inch reach, which gives him a minimal one inch height advantage over Fayfer.
Tabiti’s list of opponents include a few boxers most fans will recognize such as Lateef Kayode, Keith Tapia and Steve Cunningham. Tabiti is of Nigerian descent and is well known for his fast hands. He’s at least on par with Fayfer when it comes to power and both boxers have pretty solid chins. With neither of them being particularly well known to most boxing fans, a win here will give the victor some world wide recognition.
Prediction…
This bout features two hard-hitting cruiserweights and Fayfer has home advantage since the bout’s in Russia. However, if Tabiti can utilize his speed, agility defence and skills he could pull out a win here and move on to the next round of the World Boxing Super Series. But he’s going to have to let his hands go to do it.
