By Alexey Sukachev

Less than a week remains for the second half of a huge Russian boxing weekend, which is set to crown the end of spring and the coming summer as well. While most eyes are set on a Friday extravaganza in Luzhniki, Moscow, where Alexander Povetkin will try to kick off his comeback tour against German tough guy Manuel Charr, hardcore followers of the game will also be on the watch for another card, at Atlant Arena in a satellite city of Mytischi, where (a few kilometers from Moscow) WBA #1 middleweight Dmitry Chudinov (12-0-2, 8 KOs) tests his skills against his toughest opponent to date – heavily tattooed Danish enforcer Patrick Nielsen (22-0, 11 KOs), who is rated #4 by the World Boxing Association coming into the fight. The fight is scheduled for twelve for the WBA Interim title. The entire card is being promoted by Vladimir Hryunov and Sauerland Event.

Meanwhile, hype and buzz is being steadily built over this show. Faces are familiar to Russian boxing community as well: the tourney will feature a multi-time heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield, former undisputed light welterweight titlist Kostya Tszyu and famous ring announcer Michael Buffer.

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On May 27 (4 PM LT), an open workout will be conducted by Chudinov and Nielsen at the ATRIUM Mall. Taking their parts in the workout will be Tszyu and female contestants Svetlana Kulakova (9-0, 1 KO) and Ana Laura Esteche (10-3-1, 2 KOs). Kulakova and Esteche will collide for Esteche’s WBA light welterweight championship in the main undercard fight. Three more contests will round up the card:

Ramal Amanov (4-0) vs. Michael Ogundo (debut) – 8 rounds, welterweights

Isa Akberbayev (11-0, 7 KOs) vs. Moris Okola (4-0, 2 KOs) – 8 rounds, cruiserweights

Mickie Nielsen (13-0, 11 KOs) vs. Igot Pylypenko (4-16-2, 1 KO) – 8 rounds, cruiserweights.

21-year old Mickie Nielsen is a younger brother of Patrick, 23. Pylypenko is coming off an upset first-round kayo of another Dane Peter Gram (2-0) in April.

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On May 28, all the contestants, accompanied by Holyfield, Tszyu and co-promoter of the show Vladimir Hryunov will serve their civil duties by meeting the government of the Moscow Region (3 PM LT).

An official weigh-in (starts at noon) is scheduled to take place at the SEXTON bike centre nearby the Dynamo Palace of Sports in Krylatskoye, Moscow, Russia.

The next day, Holyfield and Tszyu will perform a master-class for literally thousands of followers, young boxers and orphans at “Northern Tuschino” Natural Park and Resort. No less than five thousand devotees will join the open workout. Leading the training will be Michael Buffer. The arrangement will also be visited by Guinness Book representatives, who will document the record.

Finally, at 7 PM on Sunday, June 1, the show itself will be kicked off. The boxing card will be accompanied by the second «THE GOLDEN GLOVES-2: BLACK ENERGY» international boxing awards as well as presentation of the Black Energy brand, supported by Mike Tyson. Leading Russian music bands “Nogu Svelo” and “Uma2rman” will perform at the arena. The whole show will be televised live by the First Russian national channel.