Exclusive: Andrei Mikhailovich Excited About Returning To The Ring ‘It’s my job, my passion’

Andrei Mikhailovich (21-1), ranked 8th in the world with the IBF returns to action this weekend when he takes on Australia’s Blake Wells (11-1) as part of the Tim Tszu – Joseph Spencer undercard. The nine-fight card takes place inside the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia.

It will be the 27-year-old’s first bout since his November loss to Zhanibek Alimkhanuly after challenging the Kazakh for his IBF middleweight strap. It was the only time in his professional career that Mikhailovich had failed to get his hand raised, and despite not capturing the belt, the knowledge gained from the contest with Alimkhanuly has provided him with invaluable insight for the future.

“I took heaps away so, making sure that you dot your I’s and cross your Ts and that. 100% on each fight is important. So that’s really it, you know, ” he explains.

“I think what’s important to me is to stay active and keep learning and keep updating my software and all that. I think one thing I need to do is just keep getting better and better, and that’s it. Just focus on my boxing, and don’t worry about anything; boxing comes first.”

Mikhailovich is looking to compete at least three times this year but knows before any further plans can be made, he needs to get past a determined and motivated Wells.

The 31-year-old southpaw comes into this fight on the back of a four-fight winning streak and has never been stopped as a pro. This fight will be a massive test for the Australian, and the matchup presents him with a huge opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the middleweight division. Mikhailovich expects the best version of Wells to turn up when they face off this weekend in Newcastle.

“I think any fighter who hops in the ring always brings his A-game and trains hard, so I would expect nothing less from him. He is working hard, and I have watched him; he has got a lot of sponsors on board and is doing his thing. I am excited about it,” he said.

Mikhailovich currently sits at No.8 in the IBF middleweight rankings, and with the Australian middleweight scene boasting the likes of Michael Zerafa, Cesar Mateo Tapia and Joel Camilleri, all of whom are ranked inside the top fifty by Boxrec, there is no shortage of potentially exciting and relatively easy-to-make matchups for the New Zealand-based Mikhailovich.

However, first things first, and the aim this weekend is to return to the winner’s circle and remind everyone of the impressive skillset he possesses. After almost six months out of the ring, Mikhailovich is looking forward to getting back to doing what he enjoys.

” I love boxing; it’s my job, my passion, and it’s what I love to do. So I am happy as Larry.”