Middleweight Radmir Akhmediyev (5-0, 5 KOs) has averaged a fight every two months since turning pro in September after compiling an amateur record of 63-17 in his native Kazakhstan. In his sixth fight, Akhmediyev, 24, takes on Antron Pearson (2-4) at the latest Savarese Boxing card tonight at the Bayou City Events Center in Houston.

"Every opponent is like a personal lesson," Akhmediyev told The Houston Chronicle. "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."

Despite toiling in the pro ranks for less than a year, Akhmediyev is ready to step up the level of competition and move past the party of palookas he has pulverized to date. And who can blame him? He could not have asked for a more pathetic bunch of opponents thus far; the five of them sport a combined record of 19-113-6. Not only does Akhmediyev seek better caliber opponents, he is also wants to graduate to six- and eight-round bouts. Promoter Lou Savarese said tonight's fight will be Akhmediyev's last four-round bout.

Having stopped 25 of his 80 amateur opponents, he obviously punched like a pro before even joining the prizefighting ranks. But he has developed into a more multi-dimensional fighter under the tutelage of trainer Bobby Benton since relocating to Houston from Kazakhstan.

"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."

Akhmediyev cites fellow Kazakh Gennady Golovkin as one of his main role models in the sport. Despite his impatience to take on higher-quality fights,he might take comfort in the fact that Triple G also began his career by crushing tomato cans; Golovkin's first four opponents had a combined record of 13-42-5.

In other bouts:

Welterweight Craig Callaghan (8-1, 4 KOs) takes on Robert Hill (4-24, 1 KO).

Middleweight Jonathan Morales (6-0, 3 KOs) faces Patrick Sims (debut).

Junior welterweight David Limerick (3-0, 2 KOs) faces Ronald Nowden (0-1)

Junior featherweight Armando Frausto (3-0, 3 KOs) takes on Lavale Wilson (1-5)

Krystian Dzienski (1-0) and William Durham (0-2) face off in a heavyweight bout.

Welterweight Brandon Dimas (1-0) takes on Jonathan O'neal (1-2).

And lightweights Lucia Osedueda and Lauretia Meacham face off in their pro debuts.