Vladimir Nikitin to fight in Dublin this month
A number of Olympic medalists will feature in the International Round Robin tournament in Dublin later this month.
Perhaps most notably though, the tournament at the National Stadium will see Vladimir Nikitin make his way over to Ireland.
The Russian fighter has become one of the most infamous names in Irish sporting history over the last year since benefiting from some controversial judging at the Rio Olympics.
The Komi fighter was handed a quarter final win over Mick Conlan despite the Belfast bantamweight seemingly dominating much of the bout.
Due to cts sustained in his previous fight and exponentially worsened by Conlan, Nikitin would withdraw from his semi final with American teenager Shakur Stevenson.
Nikitin, who was awarded a BMW X3 by the Russian government for his medal win, has remained amateur since the Games and has moved up to lightweight.
It is unconfirmed who Nikitin will face at the home of Irish boxing. If indeed he is to take on another Irish boxer, he would face box Galway’s Pat Mongan or Dubliner George Bates when he comes to the National Stadium, with the IABA confirming that they will draw their panel from the 2017 Elite Senior finalists.
The Round Robin will see Ireland meet France, Germany, Italy, and Russia across April, 28th, 29th and 30th.
Other big names set to feature include Evgeny Tishchenko who will face London 2012 Olympian Darren O’Neill in a heavyweight rubber match.
O’Neill beat Tishchenko in the 2010 Ostrava Grand Prix final in the Czech Republic and the Russian heavyweight beat O’Neill in the 2015 European Championships.
Rio 2016 silver medallist Sofiane Oumiha is included on Les Bleus panel along with Paul Omba Biongolo, who won European U/22 heavyweight gold last month, while Olympic bronze medallist Artem Harutyunyan is on the German team.
