Foreign fighters stage invasion of local card
Savarese’s slate puts Houston’s international flair in the spotlight
When promoter Lou Savarese began staging boxing events in Houston in 2009, his goal was to provide a stage for young local boxers to hone their skills in front of their homegrown fans as they attempted to climb the ranks from prospect to contender.
But it gradually evolved to include an eclectic spectrum of foreign imports who, along with their pugilistic skills, also brought a diverse array of flagwaving expatriates to the cards. Speaking languages ranging from Afrikaans to Uzbek, these newcomers seamlessly mixed and mingled with the local fight fans while cheering on the boxers from their respective lands.
Savarese’s latest card, tonight at 6 p.m. the Bayou City Event Center, features a foursome of foreign fighters hailing from Poland, Kazakhstan, England and El Salvador.
“Houston, in the last eight months, has become the most diverse city in the United States surpassing New York,” Savarese said. “I guess it’s trickled down to our boxing shows.”
Tall Pole
Six-foot-five heavyweight Krystian Dzienski, who relocated to Houston from Gdansk, Poland, earlier this year, is the newest arrival to the Houston boxing scene. Dzienski, 26, survived a few shaky moments in his May 8 pro debut to eke out a split decision over Jerome Aiken (0-2). He faces William Durham (0-2) tonight.
“I was very stressed (in his debut) but it was a great experience,” Dzienski said. “This time I’ll be more loose.”
Dzienski began boxing at the relatively late age of 18 and has no amateur experience.
Trained by Bobby Benton at the Main Boxing Gym, he intends to make up for lost time by fighting on every Savarese card which occurs about every six weeks.
“I’ll need a lot of sparring and a lot of fights, lots and lots of fights,” Dzienski said. “That’s the only way I can catch up.”
“I want to be the champion,” Dzienski added. “I know it’ll be a long journey but in a few years I think I’ll be ready.” Middleweight on the move
Since making his professional debut last year, Radmir Akhmediyev (5-0, 5 KOs) has been placed to the fast track, averaging a fight every two months. After compiling an amateur record of 63-17 in his native Kazakhstan, Akhmediyev moved to Houston to turn pro under the guidance of Benton.
“I’ve learned a lot,”
Akhmediyev said. “My style is totally different than when I first came to the United States. I feel like my reaction time is better and my moves are lighter. Before, I was like a tank – just go forward and go forward non-stop. Now, Bobby has taught me how to be aggressive but in a smart way.”
Despite his busy fight schedule, Akhmediyev is impatient to graduate from four to six- and eightround bouts. He faces Antwon Pearson (2-4) tonight in what Savarese said will be Akhmediyev’s last fourround fight.
“I already do six or eight rounds in sparring every time,” Akhmediyev said.
Not only is Akhmediyev eager to increase the number of rounds of his fights, he hopes to step up the level of his competition; his five previous opponents had a dismal combined record of 19-113-6.
“Every opponent is like a personal lesson,” Akhmediyev said. “Every opponent has a different style. He may be aggressive or just want to play with me. I have to learn to work with all of them, orthodox or southpaw.”
Rounding up the roster of foreign fighters are featherweight Pablo Cruz of El Salvador and welterweight Craig Callaghan of Liverpool, England, both of whom recently suffered their first career losses when they stepped up their level of opposition.
Cruz (11-1, 3 KOs)was stopped by Adam Lopez (9-0, 4 KOs) in New York in March. Prior to Lopez, Cruz, 28, had fought an exclusive club of opponents with losing records. At press time, his opponent had yet to be determined.
Callaghan, 27, had also defeated a series of subpar fighters before he was stopped in the third round by Cesar Vila (6-1, 3 KOs) in Dallas last year. Callaghan (8-1, 4 KOs) faces Robert Hill (4-24, 1 KO) tonight.