Russian-born Australian Alexander Devyatov and India’s Karthik Kumar clash this Friday, May 31, at the Gold Coast Turf Club in Bundall, Queensland, Australia, for the WBA Oceania lightweight title. 

Devyatov, 26, will use all his punching power, which has seen him win 14 of his 15 fights by knockout, to try and capture the vacant 135-pound title. It will be his return to the ring, after his last fight last July, which was sealed with a knockout over Thailand’s Phatiphan Krungklang. In 2021, he won the WBA Asia lightweight title.

The 27-year-old Indian Kumar faces a big challenge in this Bundall evening. His 13-1 record, with five Ko, means he will need to put his best boxing on display to deal with Devyatov. In his favour, he has been more active, his last appearance being last March. 

The WBA Oceania lightweight title fight confirms the relentless activity boxing is experiencing on the continent. Recently, the WBA regional office crowned heavyweight champion Joseph Goodall, who defeated Faiga Opelu by KO, and next week, on June 6, the vacant WBA Oceania super featherweight title fight between Sara Jalonen (5-2) and Jackie Toth (1-2) is scheduled in Sydney.