Alexey Vasilyevich Papin (Russian: Алексей Васильевич Папин, romanized: Alexey Vasilyevich Papin; born 6 October 1987) is a Russianboxer and former kickboxer who has held the IBF International title in 2018 and 2019.
He challenged Nenad Pagonis for W.A.K.O. Pro Low-Kick Rules Cruiser Heavyweight World Championship on 9 March 2013 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, losing the fight by split decision.[4]
Revenge happened on 29 June 2013 in Moscow, Russia. This time Papin won the fight after second round by retirement, with Pagonis injuring his elbow. Papin added W.A.K.O. Pro Low-Kick Rules Cruiser Heavyweight World Championship in his treasury alongside ISKA Low-Kick Rules Super-cruiserweight World Championship and W5 Low-Kick Rules Championship.[5][6]
Boxing career
Papin made his professional boxing debut against Sergey Beloshapkin on November 21, 2015. He won the fight by a fourth-round knockout. He amassed a 9–0 record during the next two years, stopping all but one of his opponents.[7]
Papin was scheduled to face Willbeforce Shihepo for the vacant IBF International Cruiserweight title on June 23, 2018, at the Floyd Mayweather Boxing Academy in Zhukovka, Russia.[8] He won the fight by an eight-round technical knockout. Papin knocked down Shihepo in the first round, although the Namibian was able to recover from it. Papin continued to land damaging strikes to his opponent however, opening a cut on Shihepo in the fifth round, before he knocked him down once again in the eight round. Following the second knockdown, the referee decided to stop the fight.[9]
A year later, on June 16, 2019, Papin was scheduled to fight Alexandru Jur for the IBF International Cruiserweight title, which Papain had in the meantime vacated.[10] Papin won the fight by a third-round knockout, stopping Jur at the 19 seconds into the round.[11]
It was revealed on July 12, 2019, that Papin would challenge the reigning WBC Silver Cruiserweight titleholder Ilunga Makabu.[12] The fight was confirmed fort the undercard of the Sergey Kovalev versus Anthony Yarde light heavyweight clash, which was scheduled for August 24, 2019, at the Traktor Ice Arena in Chelyabinsk, Russia.[13] Makabu won the fight by majority decision, with two judges awarding him a 115-113 scorecard, while the third judge scored it as a 113–113 draw.[14]
Papin was scheduled to face the fifth-ranked WBC cruiserweight contender Ruslan Fayfer in a WBC title eliminator on August 22, 2020, at the Pyramide in Kazan, Russia.[15] Papin won the fight by a sixth-round knockout. Fayfer appeared up on the scorecards by the time of the stoppage, successfully scoring points from the outside and evading or blocking most of Papin's strikes. Early in sixth round, Papin dropped Fayfer with a left hook and punched him with two right hooks as he was going down. Although he was able to beat the count, the referee nonetheless decided to wave the fight off.[16]
Papin was scheduled to face Vaclav Pejsar on April 2, 2021, at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, Russia, in a stay-busy fight.[17] He made quick work of his journeyman opponent, and won by a first-round knockout. Pejsar was knocked down with a right overhand midway through the round, but was able to make it up before the eight count was finished. He was unable to mount any proper defense however, and was knocked out at the 2:10 minute mark of the round.[18]
Papin was booked to face the one-time WBO world cruiserweight title challenger Dilan Prašović on May 27, 2022, at the Avangard Ice Hockey Academy in Omsk, Russia.[19] He won the fight by a second-round stoppage, knocking Prašović down five times before the referee stopped the bout.[20] Papin faced Damir Beljo on October 29, 2022, in his second bout of the year. He won the fight by a second-round knockout.[21]
Papin faced the undefeated Soslan Asbarov on October 28, 2023, following a year-long absence from the sport.[22] Despite entering the bout as a favorite, Papin lost the contest by way of unanimous decision. The three ringside officials awarded Asbarov scorecards of 96–93, 99–90 and 98–91.[23]
Papin was expected to face Austine Nnamdi for the vacant EBP Cruiserweight title on March 8, 2024.[24] Nnamdi was unable to fly to Russia due to problems with documents and was replaced by Igor Vilchitskiy, who stepped in on a day's notice.[25] Papin captured the vacant championship by way of a fifth-round knockout.[26]
