Peter Petrov: I expect to win this tournament

By By Miguel Maravilla of fightnews.com

Russian lightweight Peter Petrov (33-4-2, 15 KOs) is ready for the next round of the ESPN 2014 Boxcino lightweight tournament as he will take on Christopher Rudd (13-1, 8 KOs) this Friday on ESPN Friday Night Fights from the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota. Fightnews.com caught up with Petrov while preparing for this fight. He spoke about his participation in the Boxcino tournament, relocating to the U.S, and his upcoming fight.

“I have been in LA training for about two months. We have had a good preparation. Physically and technically everything is coming along good,” Petrov told Fightnews.com.

Coming off a six round unanimous decision win over his countryman, previously undefeated Fedor Papazov last month in the quarterfinal round of the Boxcino tournament in Laughlin, Nevada. Petrov dominated en route to a decision win advancing to the semi-final round.

“I am very happy for winning that fight. It was a hard complicated fight because we knew he was undefeated and a high knockout percentage with a good punch,” Petrov said about his last fight.”

For his opponent Christopher Rudd of Covington, Tennessee he also won his quarterfinal matchup round, scoring a seventh round split decision over Yakubu Amidu of a scheduled six rounder. Rudd went on to win in the extra tie-breaker round as he won the seventh round on all three judges scorecard.

“Rudd tied and had to go an extra round and won the tie breaker. He is a boxer, a very complicated one because he’s a tall fighter at 5’11, it won’t be easy,” Petrov said about his opponent Christopher Rudd.

Born in Ryazan, Russia the 30 year old Petrov began boxing as an amateur in his native Russia. After a successful amateur career he then relocated to Madrid, Spain and began his pro career in 2000 fighting the majority of his career in Spain and Europe.

“When I was sixteen years old I moved to Spain now I am in the U.S.,” Petrov said.

Opportunity knocked in 2011 as Petrov traveled into hostile territory to Argentina, in his first shot at a world title taking on current WBA welterweight champion Marcos Maidana for Maidana’s WBA junior welterweight title at the time. Petrov was unsuccessful in his attempt as he suffered a fourth round knockout loss. The loss however he says has served him as an experience, adding a solid name to his resume.

“The fight with Maidana was a good experience for me it will help me for all my upcoming fights and the Boxcino Tournament,” Petrov said=.

Now the Russian has made the transition that most of his countrymen have made in coming stateside to the U.S. Currently residing in Los Angeles, California Petrov is working with trainer Daniel Zamora at the Santa Fe Springs gym at Los Nietos Park in Santa Fe, Springs California, 10 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Petrov has also gotten solid work sparring at the Ponce De Leon Gym in Montebello.

“My objective was to come and fight in the U.S. I have always wanted to fight here and now I have accomplished it,” Petrov said.

The relocation has given his career a turn for the better as he is currently promoted by Artie Pellulo’s Banner Promotions which was influential in entering him in the Boxcino Tournament making his U.S. debut on ESPN.

“The tournament is interesting. I accepted it the idea is good there is only three fights with good opponents,” Petrov said. “My objective is to get a world title shot at 135 there are some good champions and fighters that are in the rankings, hopefully I can fight one of them,” Petrov added.

Petrov vs. Rudd will be a scheduled eight round bout.

“I am focused on my next bout and if all goes well I advance to the finals I expect to win this tournament and after that whatever fight they offer me I welcome it,” Petrov concluded.

Follow me on Twitter @MigMaravilla