Dmitriy Salita, promoter for light heavyweight prospect Ali Izmailov, believes his boxer will eventually topple over WBC, IBF, WBO world champion Artur Beterbiev.
Beterbiev, who knocked out all 18 of his opponents, is one of the most feared boxers in the sport.
Izmailov, with a record of 8-0 with 6 knockouts, will face 18-0 Eric Murguia on August 10 as part of the next Detroit Brawl show.
Salita is so high on Izmailov that he feels the Russian fighter is ready for the top of the weight class right now.
“Ali Izmailov may be the best light-heavyweight in the division,” Salita told Sky Sports.
“I believe Ali is a superstar in the making and is ready to fight the likes of [WBA titlist Dmitry] Bivol and Beterbiev now and he only has eight professional fights.
“I look forward to his fight on August 10 on ‘Detroit Brawl’ as he fights the undefeated Eric Murguia who is a bona fide world-class fighter.”
Izmailov is being trained by veteran coach John David Jackson, who took another Russian boxer, Sergey Kovalev, to world title heights at 175-pounds.
Jackson has worked with numerous top fighters and world champions and he views Izmailov as a future superstar in the weight class.
“Ali is a world-class talent and a pleasure to work with,” Jackson said.
“He is a sponge that absorbs and learns in the gym every session. He has been under the radar with only eight professional fights but I will tell you he is on top of the list of [fighters] I’ve worked with. He has a good test in front of him on August 10 and I expect him to raise another notch for an impressive victory.”