10 Top Fighters From Behind The Iron Curtain

[Spicoli]

Were there ever any top fighters who really were from behind the iron curtain, that is pre Mikhail Gorbachev days?

The whole perastroika (sp ?) reforms opened the doors.I remember in the early 90's a whole bunch of guys were brought over and trained by Tommy Gallhagar...USA tuesday night fights aired them alot "The Russians are coming" or something.One was a lightweight named Sergei Artemiev,dude had some skills and was right on the brink of a World Title shot.He was pretty badly injured against Carl Griffith for a minor stepping stone belt,Career ended suddenly as he fell into a coma and was lucky to recover.They had a big Heavy named Yuri Vaulin that didn't pan out,he took some rounds from Tommy Morrison but eventually got wrecked.

I'd definatly add Yuri Arbachakov to that list,very first Champion from Russia.Sent to Japan from Russia out of Amatuers along with a few others.Arbachackov and Orzubek Gussie Nazarov reigned as champions & exelled,ecspecially Yuri.5 yr flyweight champ.

[CutMeMick]

Were there ever any top fighters who really were from behind the iron curtain, that is pre Mikhail Gorbachev days?

The whole perastroika (sp ?) reforms opened the doors.I remember in the early 90's a whole bunch of guys were brought over and trained by Tommy Gallhagar...USA tuesday night fights aired them alot "The Russians are coming" or something.One was a lightweight named Sergei Artemiev,dude had some skills and was right on the brink of a World Title shot.He was pretty badly injured against Carl Griffith for a minor stepping stone belt,Career ended suddenly as he fell into a coma and was lucky to recover.They had a big Heavy named Yuri Vaulin that didn't pan out,he took some rounds from Tommy Morrison but eventually got wrecked.

I'd definatly add Yuri Arbachakov to that list,very first Champion from Russia.Sent to Japan from Russia out of Amatuers along with a few others.Arbachackov and Orzubek Gussie Nazarov reigned as champions & exelled,ecspecially Yuri.5 yr flyweight champ.

Good stuff Spicoli...
You beat me to Orzubek.

[TigerFan]

Good call on Arbachakov and Nazarov

You could probably throw in Artur Grigorian as well. 17 title defenses of a Lightweight belt and defeated Shane Mosley as an amateur.

Here's some footage of Arbachakov in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP6tp3mwlhQ

[Spicoli]

Good call on Arbachakov and Nazarov

You could probably throw in Artur Grigorian as well. 17 title defenses of a Lightweight belt and defeated Shane Mosley as an amateur.

Here's some footage of Arbachakov in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP6tp3mwlhQ

Good stuff.Arbachakov was very much under rated/under reported I think.That man could straight up fight with great combination punching and angles...and just as fast turn on the power.Had a guy refuse to send me any fights I requested trading tapes then until he sent me some 'foreign,over seas' fighters.Told me that I had no Idea what I was missing,Shite...I couldn't even pronounce the names much less look past the Toneys,Holyfields,Norris,and Trinidad in the mainstream Lol.He was right.Kittakasem was an extremely tough,tough fighter with a shakey chin,dropped very often but huge heart and solid Power.He was coming off a hard fought win with solid prospect and future champion Raton Jimenez and a sensational last minute comeback KO win in a all out war with a returning Jung-koo-Chang. Yuri just picked him apart in the first go here.Posting up the ending of this first to go with yours....Absolutley brutal KO in the 8th by Yuri.Beginning of a 4 + year run.

Good pick on Grigorian also,He has just made his 1st comeback fight tonight.Five years out man,long road back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMNQC...eature=related