Southern California based Russian lightweight contender Petr “The Czar” Petrov (38-4-2, 19 KOs) is in the opening phases of camp for his upcoming fight against undefeated WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan (32-0, 13 KOs) of Manchester, England. Petrov will get his crack at the world title on Saturday April 8th at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.
“This is a fight I have been waiting for it’s a world title shot. I have been waiting for years and I am looking to win that title,” Petr Petrov told Southern California Boxing.com
Petrov will hold camp for five weeks training at a community gym, the Santa Fe Spring Boxing Gym at Los Nietos Park in Santa Fe Springs, California with his trainer Daniel Zamora and work strength & conditioning with Jerry Arias in preparation for Flanagan.
“I have been here for a few days training as I begin my camp to prepare for this fight,” Petrov on training camp.
Following the five weeks Petrov will head to his hometown of Spain where he resides while inactive and finish camp before heading to Manchester, England. The Russian has also adopted Spain as his hometown where he has lived for a number of years since leaving Russia.
“I stay active in the gym back in Spain then I when I come here it usually for camp,” Petrov said.
The 33 year old began to box as a youth in Russia where he had about 50 amateur fights and then moved to Spain where he had like 5 fights also boxing there as an amateur. Unlike most of his fellow countrymen who go on to have over 100 fights as amateurs Petrov laid under the radar before turning pro and beginning his career in Spain.
“I really didn’t have a stellar amateur career but I know I won more fights than I lost,” Petrov said. “The main thing is that I have worked hard to get where I’m at now,” Petrov added.
Having began his career and fighting the majority of his fights in Spain early on as a pro. Petrov got his first crack at a world title traveling to Argentina as he suffered a knockout against Marcos Maidana. His next defeat came at the hands of former world champion Dejan Zlaticanin back in 2013.
“Those fights were good fights for me they help me step to the next level and they have given me a lot of experience coming into this fight,” Petrov said about his defeats.
Following the loss to Zlaticanin, the “Czar” would go on to win the Boxcino Lightweight Tournament with wins over Fedor Papazov, Chris Rudd, and Fernando Carcamo as he was crowned the Boxcino lightweight champion.
“Winning the tournament helped me a lot I was unknown here in the U.S. but winning it gave me more recognition and gave me a name,” Petrov on winning the Boxcino Tournament.
2016 was an impressive year for Petrov as he had two big wins to help earn him a shot at the title stopping tough Mexican Marvin Quintero in six rounds on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas on the eve of Canelo vs. Khan. Petrov is coming off another sixth round stoppage over Michael Perez this past September.
“Last year I had two fights and they were big wins for me. The first was against Marvin Quintero in Las Vegas. I stopped him. My other fight was against Michael Perez in an elimination bout and I also stopped him,” Petrov said. “It was a good year but I look to stay more active. This year the goal is to win this big fight and see what happens after,” Petrov added.
The champion Flanagan won the vacant WBO title in July of 2015 with a win over Jose Zepeda and has defended his title four times as he is coming off an eighth round stoppage of Orlando Cruz.
“I have seen him fight. He is much taller than me, moves around good, and likes to throw a lot of punches, straight punches,” Petrov on Flanagan. “If I can knock him out it’s better for me. I don’t want to leave it in the hands of the judges but I don’t think of the knockout, I stick to my plan but it will be a difficult fight for him,” Petrov added.
Flanagan vs. Petrov will be a scheduled 12 round championship fight for Flanagan’s world title as Petrov will travel into hostile territory once again for his second world title shot as he looks to accomplish his life long goal.
“My mother always told me that I will be world champion one day. I have always worked hard towards that goal and I continue to work at it because my dream is to become world champion,” Petrov said. “I will maintain the pressure on him. Everyone that has seen me fight knows I come to fight. I expect to give a great fight and please the fans hope you all enjoy this fight,” Petrov promises.
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