Arthur Biyarslanov vs Tamas Kiliti press conference quotes, weights, running order
A logistical issue has forced Marcos Villasana to withdraw from his scheduled fight against Arthur Biyarslanov on September 5th.
The NABF super lightweight champion Biyarslanov will now defend his title against Hungarian champion Tamas Kiliti in a battle of undefeated warriors.
How to watch
The event will take place in front of a sold-out crowd at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal and will also be broadcast on Punching Grace and ESPN+ this Thursday, starting at 6:30pm.
Promoted by Eye of The Tiger, Biyarslanov-Kiliti, Khataev-Maderna, and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 6:30pm ET / 3:30pm PT.
“The opponent may change, but the goal remains the same,” commented Arthur Biyarslanov (15-0, 13 KOs), ranked 25th in the world by the WBC at 140 lbs, as he prepares for his first NABF title defence.
Facing him will be an opponent who is clearly not afraid of a challenge. Tamas Kiliti (10-0, 6 KOs) comes to Quebec undefeated in ten fights, just like Biyarslanov, with around 40 rounds of professional experience, and at 29 years old.
In 2022, he won the Hungarian national title in just his fourth fight, and in May of this year, he also claimed the UBO Inter-Continental lightweight title. This will be his second fight outside his homeland, having won in Romania in 2023.
Undercard
In the light heavyweight division, another NABF championship will be contested in the co-main event, as IBF #10 and WBC #14 Imam Khataev (7-0, 7 KOs) will face veteran Ezequiel Maderna (31-12, 21 KOs) in a clash of former Olympians.
Canadian Mary Spencer (8-2, 6 KOs) will fight for the interim WBA world title at 154 lbs against German contender Naomi Mannes (7-2-1, 4 KOs).
Earlier in the evening, Montreal’s Christopher Guerrero (11-0, 6 KOs) will face Brooklyn’s Courtney Pennington (17-8-3, 7 KOs). Jhon Orobio (10-0, 9 KOs) will meet Joel Manriquez (6-5). Avery Martin Duval (11-0-1, 7 KOs) will go toe-to-toe with Jesus Daneff (13-11-4, 4 KOs).
Wilkens Mathieu (10-0, 6 KOs) will fight veteran Rolando Mansilla (19-15-1, 9 KOs). And in the opening bout, Moreno Fendero (6-0, 4 KOs) will clash with Carlos Ronner (7-4, 2 KOs).
Quotes
ARTHUR BIYARSLANOV NABF Super-Lightweight Champion: “You’re starting to see me here a lot! This is my third fight in less than 6 months. I’m going to keep this pace until I reach the world stage and, with the support of Eye of the Tiger, the world title. I thank my opponent for taking the fight, but I don’t care who’s in front of me, because I always train the same way; the hardest I can.”
TAMAS KILITI Hungarian Champion: “I’m grateful for this opportunity. To face a guy like Arthur Biyarslanov, I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. That’s why I was ready when the phone rang and I’ll be ready when the bell rings.”
IMAM KHATAEV NABF Light-Heavyweight Champion: “He has a lot of experience, but I’m not starting from scratch. I have 300 amateur fights and they say my style is made for the pros, so I don’t know about him, but I’m ready.”
EZEQUIEL MADERNA former world title contender and Olympian: “Imam Khataev has a lot of talent, but not much experience. I’ve fought the best, and he’s never been in the ring with someone like me. It’s going to show on Thursday night because I’m confident I’m going to come out of the ring with a victory.”
MARY SPENCER WBA interim super-welterweight world title challenger: “I was really disappointed when my last fight was cancelled, but I went right back to the gym to get my frustration out and I feel like it’s going to show in the ring. I also believe that my opponent will be surprised by my power, because the only way to beat me is to not get hit by my power shots, and unfortunately for her, Naomi Mannes does not have that ability.”
NAOMI MANNES WBA interim super-welterweight world title challenger: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The title will come back with me to Germany. I move too well for Mary Spencer, I’m too fast for her and my counter-punches will do the job. Everyone talks about Mary and her third chance like she deserved it, but I’m going to show you that she’s not at my level on Thursday.”
Weights
