The city of Grozny in Russia is gearing up for an action-packed evening this Saturday, October 10, with three major World Boxing Association (WBA) title fights on the line. The Coliseum sports gala will host an event in which the WBA Continental Heavyweight, WBA Continental Europe Super Middleweight and WBA International Bridgerweight belts will be up for grabs, and all fighters will want to make their mark on the world stage.
Undefeated Russian heavyweight Artem Suslenkov (12-0, 7 KO) will face Croatia Agron Smakici (21-2, 19 KOs) in a power struggle for the WBA Continental heavyweight crown. Suslenkov, 30, has built a reputation on solid fundamentals and tight defense, while Smakici, 35, brings an incredible 90% knockout rate and over a decade of professional experience to the ring.
The height difference – Smakici standing 6’6″ (198 cm) and Suslenkov 6’1″ (185 cm) – and their contrasting styles foreshadow a strategic chess match. The Russian will want to dictate the pace from the mid-range, while the Croatian striker will try to break through with all his might. The result could determine who turns out to be the rightful contender in boxing’s most critical division.
Local favorite in the super middleweight division Aslambek “The Hulk” Idigow (26-1, 9 KO) is to face Yevgeny Shwedenko (17-2-1, 8 KO) for the WBA title for Continental Europe. Idigov, known for his relentless pressure and ability to cut through the ring, will face Shvedenko, a skillful technician who is adept at managing distance and pace.
Both are hungry for domination on the continent. Idigov, whose lone career defeat is still pending, is keen to reaffirm his dominance in Eastern Europe, while Swedenko is looking for redemption after recent setbacks and a chance to climb the rankings again. Expect a technical duel, with intense exchanges and a battle of wits to control the pace.
The third headliner of the evening will perform Umar Salamov (31-2, 23 KO) against Yuri Kashinsky (22-3, 19 KO) for the WBA International bridgeweight title. Salamov, a former lithe heavyweight world title challenger, has reinvented himself in a novel 224-pound weight class, while Kashinsky – a heavy-handed brawler – remains a constant threat to anyone who stands in front of him.
Both fighters bring elite-level experience and understand what’s at stake: a win here could push them to the top of one of boxing’s newest and most intriguing weight classes. Salamov will rely on his movement and technical advantage, while Kashinsky will press forward with pure aggression and power.
The October 10 event in Grozny not only offers championship implications, but also showcases Russian talent against world-class opponents in fights that could shape the immediate future of the WBA’s three divisions. Once again, the WBA continues to promote the global growth of boxing, and this event is a testament to that mission.