Ricards Bolotniks has vowed to once again prove his doubters wrong when he faces Serge Michel in the Golden Contract light heavyweight final next week. Bolotniks (17-5-1, 7 KOs) battles Michel (11-1, 8 KOs) at Production Park Studios in Wakefield on Wednesday December 2nd, live on Sky Sports and on ESPN+. The Latvian has reached the final with victories over Hosea Burton and Steven Ward, and he’s promised to win the tournament in style.

 

Bolotniks said: “At the beginning of the tournament, Hosea Burton was saying that he was the favourite, so I turned around and said he made a mistake. Even when I fought Steven Ward, the fans were saying he was the favourite for that fight, and I proved them wrong too. I love shocking the world and I can’t wait to shock the world again when I face Serge Michel. During this tournament I have found new UK fans who write to be and support me, so I will be happy to please them by fighting in the UK again. It’s a shame there will be no fans, but the main thing is that my team will be in my corner and my fans will still be supporting me, I can always feel their support no matter where I fight.”

 

Michel, on the other hand, sees no possible way that Bolotniks can beat him. Both men are in confident moods head into the fight, but Michel has dismissed any possibility of Bolotniks claiming the victory. Michel said: “I can’t see how Ricards will win the fight against me. I’m the better technician, I’m the better puncher, and I know how my job should look. I’m very excited for the fight and I know I will win the final and take the WBO European title from Bolotniks. I’m very happy about fighting again in the UK too. Both of my past performances in the UK were great. I did a very good job on those guys and you saw my power in the last fight against Conroy. My next performance will be just as powerful, and if I wasn’t sure I could stop Bolotniks then I would not have this fight.”