site.btaCuban-born Bulgarian Boxer Javier Ibanez Targets First Professional Title

Cuban-born Bulgarian boxer Javier Ibanez is stepping into the ring on the night of Saturday to Sunday in a bid to win his first professional boxing title. He will face Yermi Peralta Jimenez of the Dominican Republic at a boxing gala in the Dominican town of Puerto Plata. The two will contest the Latino Featherweight title of the World Boxing Council (WBC), the Bulgarian Boxing Federation reported.

The bout is the main event of the evening and is scheduled for 10 rounds. It is due to begin at around 00:00 hrs local time (07:00 hrs Bulgarian time) on Sunday, July 5.

For Ibanez, bronze medallist at the 2024 Summer Olympics, this will be his second professional contest. A month and a half ago, he knocked out Anderson Lopez in the fifth round at a boxing gala in San Sebastian de Los Reyes, Spain. His opponent tonight, Peralta Jimenez, brings considerable professional experience, having compiled a record of 15 wins, two defeats and two draws from 19 fights.

The bout represents an excellent opportunity for Ibanez to take another step up the international professional rankings. In addition, as permitted under the rules, it will provide him with valuable competitive preparation ahead of the European Championships in Sofia from September 15 to 26. For a place in Bulgaria's team at the championships, to be held at Asics Arena, Ibanez will compete with the other leading Bulgarian boxer in the 55 kg division, Yasen Radev.