"I don't think they're stronger than me." Salamov challenged world champions

Russian boxer Umar Salamov said he was able to defeat leading representatives of the first heavyweight, including Jay Opetaya and David Benavidez. The holder of the IBF European belt at the same time stressed that he is now focused on the upcoming fight with Kazakhstani Yedil Kozhamberdiyev. The fight will take place on October 16 in Grozny, the press service of the Russian Boxing Federation reports.

Salamov considers the upcoming meeting as an important stage on the way to the championship title. According to the athlete, he intends to continue moving towards his main goal and expects to get the opportunity to fight for the world championship.

The Russian noted that high positions in the ratings allow him to qualify for matches with the current champions. He expressed confidence in his own abilities and stated that he expects to win in possible fights with both Jay Opetaya and David Benavidez.

However, Salamov's immediate task is to defend the European title. He won the IBF European belt in mid-August in Grozny, defeating Kazakh Ali Baloev. The upcoming meeting with Kozhamberdiev will be the first defense of this title for the Russian.

Salamov is in the top six of the BoxRec world ranking in the first heavyweight. In the professional ring, he scored 33 wins, 24 of which ended in a knockout, and suffered two defeats.

Kozhamberdiev started his professional career with two lost fights, but then managed to achieve a series of 17 victories in a row. All these meetings the Kazakh boxer finished ahead of schedule.