Joseph Parker likely to get Alexander Dimitrenko test as final prep for shot at Joshua

07/25/2016 James Slater

It’s not official yet, but New Zealand media feel tomorrow’s press conference hosted by Joseph Parker’s promoter Dean Lonergan will confirm how the IBF mandatory challenger will face experienced Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko in his next fight, penciled in for September. Parker, unbeaten at 20-0 and coming off a 4th-round stoppage of Solomon Haumono, is expected to get his shot at Anthony Joshua late this year or early next year, but he and his team want to gain more experience before the expected trip to London. And this is where 34-year-old Dimitrenko comes in (or is expected to come in according to a report by The New Zealand Herald).

Dimitrenko, 38-2(24) is big at 6’7” and he has mixed it with some good fighters during his 15 year pro career – including Eddie Chambers, Albert Sosnowski and Kubrat Pulev. Parker will be facing the tallest pro opponent of his career thus far and he and his team obviously feel the fight will be great preparation for the Joshua fight.

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Dimitrenko: “I still have no offer to fight Briggs”

05/03/201605/03/2016 Hayemaker Promotions

Update: Hayemaker Promotions today announced that Shannon Briggs will face Alexander Dimitrenko at Haye Day on May 21 at the O2, London (see below).

East Side Boxing spoke to Dimitrenko, who stated: “I spoke to no one and no one gave me an offer! The fight is not official, that is not the truth. I still have no offer, these are just empty words!”

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Shannon Briggs to fight Alexander Dimitrenko on Haye’s May 21st card?

04/29/2016 James Slater

With David Haye’s second comeback fight fast approaching (May 21st), there is still no official word on who Shannon Briggs will face in the chief support. As fans probably are aware, Haye and Briggs have an agreement to fight one another later in the year providing they both come through at The O2 in London next month – Haye will face little-known but unbeaten Arnold Gjergjaj in the headliner.

So who will 44-year-old Briggs, 59-6-1(52) fight on May 21st? Well, according to Briggs himself, in speaking with two sources – Fightnews and Tru School Sports – he will face Russian-born Alexander Dimitrenko on May 21st.

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Luis Ortiz to defend interim WBA heavyweight title against Alexander Dimitrenko on March 5th

02/02/201602/01/2016 James Slater

It has been confirmed by ESPN.com, how Cuba’s Luis Ortiz will face German-based Russian Alexander Dimitrenko on March 5th. Southpaw Ortiz, 24-0(21) will be making the second defence of the interim WBA heavyweight title he won by stopping little-known Matias Ariel Vidondo last October. The 36-year-old who is known as “The Real King Kong,” is coming off a very impressive stoppage win over Bryant Jennings who he halted in the seventh-round in December.

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Exclusive interview with Alexander Dimitrenko

09/14/201610/06/2012 ESB

Exclusive interview with Alexander Dimitrenko By Pavel Yakolov: October 6, 2012) Alexander Dimitrenko is still in the heavyweight title chase, and there are reasons why his best performances may occur in the future. Just 29 years old, the Ukrainian is still young, especially for a heavyweight. At 6’7”, 245 lbs., he towers over his opposition, has superb offensive skills, speed, and athleticism. Dimitrenko packs power in both hands, possesses a whiplash jab, and is one of the division’s best combination punchers.

Currently 32-2 (21 KO’s), Dimitrenko lost his last bout, against the top-rated Kubrat Pulev. However, the fight was closely contested for most of the match, which Dimitrenko entered under unfavorable personal and athletic circumstances. Considering that Pulev may be the world’s leading heavyweight outside of the Klitschko brothers and David Haye, the loss should not be considered career-breaking.

Now a free agent after a decade fighting for Universum Box Promotions, Dimitrenko is exploring new promotional opportunities. Noteworthy is that he hopes to campaign in American rings in the future. In this exclusive ESB interview, Dimitrenko discusses his career and plans.

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