Italian cruiserweight Simone Federici (19-2-1, 8 KOs) will get the ball rolling on his 2023 campaign on February 5th, in Genoa. Federici, from Lazio, will be featured in a ten rounder against Lvani Lukhutashvili (10-12, 9 KOs) from the Republif of Georgia. Lukhutashvili fights a tough schedule, as four of his last seven opponents were undefeated. Federici makes his return from a unanimous decision victory in April against Lyubomir Pinchuk (then 14-3-1, 8 KOs) in Schenectady, NY. Federici, who was sidelined after the Pinchuk victory due to a hand injury, is now eager and ready to get back in the ring.

 

Federici's marquee victory occurred when he traveled to New York to face Stivens Bujaj (then 17-2-1, 11 KOs) on a Star Boxing show in Huntington, New York. Federici’s mounting pressure and  work rate over the ten-round bout. 

 

Simone had this to say about Sunday's fight, “This is an important match for me in Italy to get ready to climb the WBC ratings. After this victory I want to be back in New York.. My dream is to face [Junior] Makabu for the WBC cruiserweight title in New York. I feel good and want to thank my Uncle Franco, Armando and Boris Viale of Scuderia Italia, as well as Star Boxing and manager Luigi Camputaro. Starting Sunday against Levan begins the countdown to fighting for a world championship.”

 

Star Bozing's Joe DeGuardia added, “We named Simone the Italian Tank for good reason. He is an exciting fighter who never stops coming forward and throwing punches. We expect a big year for Simone and know that February 5th will be yet another notch in the belt towards challenging the top cruiserweights in the world.”