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Danish lightweight prospect Kim Poulsen, 9-1 (1), will take a big step up in class on November 26 at the Café Royal in London when he fights WBU Intercontinental champion Nugzar Margvelashvili, 16-4 (6), from Georgia. The bout is scheduled for six rounds, and will almost certainly be the toughest job yet for the 21-year-old Risum Boxing-managed stylist.
Nugzar Margvelashvili, one year older than Poulsen at 22, is dangerous and experienced, and proved his worth when he captured the WBU Intercontinental title by dominating and stopping local hero Barry Hughes in Scotland last year. He is also a former IBF Intercontinental and IBF Mediterranean title-challenger, and three of his four losses were due to injuries against top-class opposition.
Margvelashvili is coming off a controversial TKO loss to undefeated Russian Alisher Rahimov (now 18-0), and should be hungry to get himself back on the winning trail towards new title fights. And while Poulsen’s manager, Henrik Risum, has great confidence in his boxer, he also feels a certain amount of nervousness before what will be the Danes fifth fight in London:
“Margvelashvili is without question the best opponent Kim has ever faced, amateur or pro, and I saw how he practically destroyed Barry Hughes, so obviously I am a little itchy. But we feel that Kim is ready to be tested in a very tough fight, we are ready to take a bit of a gamble, and I believe he has a good chance to come out victorious. Margvelashvili is very good, but I think Kim is better”, says Risum.
Poulsen is relishing the opportunity to shine against an opponent who will come to win by all means:
“I got very excited when Henrik told me I could be fighting Margvelashvili in London, and now that the fight is finally set I am even more excited. I realise that this guy is dangerous, and that I must be at my best to beat him, but I feel ready, I have trained very hard, and I think a tough challenge like this will bring out the best of me and make me even better in the future”.
Poulsen vs. Margvelashvili on November 26 at the Café Royal in London, England will be promoted by Mickey Helliet and his Mayfair Sporting Club, in cooperation with Risum Boxing.
