A logistical issue has forced Marcos Villasana to withdraw from his scheduled fight against Arthur Biyarslanov on September 5th. The NABF super lightweight champion will now defend his title against Hungarian champion Tamas Kiliti in a battle of undefeated fighters. The event will take place in front of a sold-out crowd at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal and will also be broadcast on Punching Grace and ESPN+ this Thursday, starting at 6:30 PM.
“The opponent may change, but the goal remains the same,” commented Arthur Biyarslanov (15-0, 13 KOs), ranked 25th in the world by the WBC at 140 lbs, as he prepares for his first NABF title defense.
Facing him will be an opponent who is clearly not afraid of a challenge. Tamas Kiliti (10-0, 6 KOs) comes to Quebec undefeated in ten fights, just like Biyarslanov, with around forty rounds of professional experience, and at 29 years old. In 2022, he won the Hungarian national title in just his fourth fight, and in May of this year, he also claimed the UBO Inter-Continental lightweight title. This will be his second fight outside his homeland, having won in Romania in 2023.
In the light heavyweight division, another NABF championship will be contested in the co-main event. IBF #10 and WBC #14 contender Imam Khataev (7-0, 7 KOs) will face veteran Ezequiel Maderna (31-12, 21 KOs) in a clash of former Olympians. Canadian Mary Spencer (8-2, 6 KOs) will fight for the interim WBA world title at 154 lbs against German contender Naomi Mannes (7-2-1, 4 KOs).
Earlier in the evening, Montreal’s Christopher Guerrero (11-0, 6 KOs) will face Brooklyn’s Courtney Pennington (17-8-3, 7 KOs). Jhon Orobio (10-0, 9 KOs) will meet Joel Manriquez (6-5). Avery Martin Duval (11-0-1, 7 KOs) will go toe-to-toe with Jesus Daneff (13-11-4, 4 KOs). Wilkens Mathieu (10-0, 6 KOs) will fight veteran Rolando Mansilla (19-15-1, 9 KOs). And in the opening bout, Moreno Fendero (6-0, 4 KOs) will clash with Carlos Ronner (7-4, 2 KOs).