Who is Emil Markic? Facts you need to know about Callum Johnson’s next opponent below
Emil Markic (32-2, 24KOs) heads to the UK for the first time to face Callum ‘The One’ Johnson (18-1, 13KOs) over 10-rounds on April 24, 2021, for the vacant WBO Global light-heavyweight title that Maxim Vlasov vacated recently to fight for the WBO World title against Joe Smith Jr.
BBN have found out some little-known facts about the Croatian:
Markic of Mostar
Emil Markic comes from the city of Mostar, situated on the Neretva River in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s the fifth largest city and one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. Football is big in Mostar and they have produced many national players and champions, such as Mehmed Kodro, who played for Real Sociedad and Barcelona in the 80s and 90s. The two main teams are HSK Zrinjski and FK Velez.
Turning Over
Emil turned pro and raced to 7-0 within the first six months between June 22 to December 23, 2012.
Reverses
His first defeat was to a man that British fight fans know well – Shefat Isufi. The Serbian was defeated by Billy Joe Saunders in May 2019 for the vacant WBO super-middleweight title, which Saunders still holds now.
His second loss was to, then-18-0, Russian powerhouse Umar Salamov (25-1, 19KOs), in May 2017, who surprisingly then lost his next fight just two months later, which remains his only career loss, and is currently ranked WBO #4 and IBF #15. Markic’s clash with Salamov was for the WBO International light-heavyweight title as well as the IBF European belt, on the undercard of Joseph Parker’s successful WBO World heavyweight title defence to Razvan Cojanu in New Zealand.
Opponents
Markic’s 35 opponents, including Callum Johnson, have a combined record of 292-352-14.
Globetrotter
Markic from Mostar has fought in eight different countries – Bosnia; Croatia; Montenegro; Germany; Serbia; Switzerland; New Zealand; and now England.
Team Markic
Markic is managed by Englishman Stanley Williams of Monarch Promotions, who is the CEO and Founder of Royalty Records in Nigeria. He is affectionately known as ‘Prince William’ and was born in Hammersmith, London. In 2018, the WBU awarded him their ‘Promoter of the Year’, mainly for his work with retired super-flyweight fighter Tasif Khan from Bradford.
Family Life
He has a daughter, named Rea, born on February 17, 2015.
Promoter
The boxer has promoted his own shows in Bosnia, under the company name of ‘Boxing Team Markic’ – once in 2012 and again in 2019. He fought and won on both shows.
WBO Global
The WBO Global light-heavyweight title he and Johnson will clash for was only created in 2019, and WBO #2 Maxim Vlasov is the only ever titleholder to date, who has also held WBC, WBA and IBO regional titles. The Russian’s next fight is to Long Island’s ‘Common Man’ Joe Smith Jr. on April 10 for the WBO World light-heavyweight title.
Rankings
WBO #15
BoxRec #81
Stats
Age: 37
Height: 5’ 11”
Reach: 74”
Bouts: 34
Rounds: 117
KOs: 70.59%
Stance: Orthodox
Roll of Honour
WBU light-heavyweight title
WBF World light-heavyweight title
2 x WBO European light-heavyweight title
Socials
You can follow Emil on Instagram here: @emilmarkic
He has a Facebook page here: Emil Markic Facebook Page
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