Makhmudov Set to Fight Late Replacement Rovcanin on May 25

Heavyweight contender Junior Fa made waves in the boxing community with his sudden decision to retire, pulling out of his upcoming bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov scheduled for May 25. This unexpected move has led to a change in plans for Makhmudov, who is currently ranked #12 by the IBF and #14 by the WBC. He will now face Miljan Rovcanin (27-3, 18 KOs) on the highly anticipated Eye of the Tiger card at the Gervais Auto Centre in Shawinigan, Québec, Canada. Rovcanin, known for his role as the primary sparring partner for Filip Hrgovic, brings a blend of size and punching power to the ring.

Commenting on the new matchup, Makhmudov's trainer Marc Ramsay praised Rovcanin as a seasoned veteran, highlighting his formidable attributes. Ramsay noted Rovcanin's limited losses, crediting them to encounters with notable opponents like American prospect Jared Anderson and Agit Kabayel, the sole fighter to defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov.

The main event of the evening will showcase a clash between super middleweights, featuring Christian 'Solide' Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs), ranked #2 by the WBC, #2 by the WBA, #3 by the IBF, and #4 by the WBO, against Mark Heffron (30-3-1, 24 KOs). This high-stakes matchup will be televised on ESPN+, promising an evening of thrilling boxing action for fans worldwide.