Dejan Zlatičanin (born 23 April 1984) is a Montenegrin professional boxer. He is the first Montenegrin boxer to win a boxing world title, having held the WBC lightweight title from 2016 to 2017.
Professional career Zlatičanin made his professional debut on 3 May 2008, scoring a third-round technical decision against Wladimir Borov. On 1 February 2011, he won his first regional championship — the vacant WBC Mediterranean lightweight title— via unanimous decision over Felix Lora."Sjekloca keeps WBC Int'l belt" . fightnews.com. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2016. Later that year, on 26 November, he claimed the vacant WBV International lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Godfrey Nzimande.
Zlaticanin vs. Burns Having vacated the title, he regained it, and earned a world title shot, by defeating Ricky Burns at Braehead Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, on 27 June 2014. Zlatičanin knocked his opponent to the canvas after just 30 seconds of the first round and went on to win via split decision with two of the ringside judges scoring the fight 115–113 in his favour, while the third had it for Burns by the same score."Dejan Zlaticanin beats Ricky Burns to win WBC International lightweight title in Glasgow". Sky Sports. Sky. 28 June 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
Zlaticanin vs. Mamani The pinnacle of Zlatičanin's career came at Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York, USA, on 11 June 2016, when he won the WBC lightweight title to become the first Montenegrin world boxing champion. He was originally scheduled to face defending champion Jorge Linares, but the Venezuelan withdrew due to a fractured hand and was designated as champion in recess. Franklin Mamani was drafted in as a replacement, taking the fight on just 11 days notice. In the third round, with Mamani backed up against the ropes and taking heavy punishment, the referee stepped in to halt the contest, giving Zlatičanin victory by technical knockout.Hobbs, Tim (14 June 2016). "Dejan Zlaticanin wins WBC lightweight title to become Montenegro's first world champion". Sky Sports. Sky. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
Zlaticanin vs. Garcia
Zlatičanin lost the title in his first defense to Mikey Garcia at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada, USA, on 28 January 2017. He was knocked out in the third round.
Zlaticanin vs. Abdullaev On 11 September 2021, Zlaticanin faced Zaur Abdullaev for the vacant WBC Silver lightweight title at RCC Boxing Academy in Ekaterinburg, Russia. He lost via unanimous decision with the judges' scorecards reading 109–119, 110–118 and 111–117.
Zlaticanin vs. Ritson In his next bout, Zlaticanin fought Lewis Ritson at Newcastle Arena in Newcastle, England, on 25 March 2022, losing by unanimous decision.
Bare-knuckle boxing In August 2026, it was announced that Zlatičanin had signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and would make his debut for the promotion against Said-Khusein Akhyadov in Belgrade, Serbia, on 17 October 2026 at BKFC Fight Night: Belgrade.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes29Win25–4 Adrian OrbanTKO1 (6), 14 Apr 2024 28Loss24–4 Lewis RitsonUD1025 Mar 2022 27Loss24–3 Zaur AbdullaevUD1211 Sep 2021 26Win24–2 Viskhan MurzabekovUD1010 Nov 2019 25Loss23–2 Roberto RamirezTKO2 (10), 21 Jun 2018 24Win23–1 Hevinson HerreraKO1 (8), 15 Dec 2017 23Loss22–1 Mikey GarciaKO3 (12), 28 Jan 2017 22Win22–0 Franklin MamaniTKO3 (12), 11 Jun 2016 21Win21–0 Ivan RedkachTKO4 (12), 13 Jun 2015 20Win20–0 Alex BoneUD1025 Oct 2014 19Win19–0 Ricky Burns1227 Jun 2014 18Win18–0 Asan YuseinovKO1 (10), 24 Aug 2013 17Win17–0 Petr PetrovUD1213 Apr 2013 16Win16–0 Bahrom PayozovKO8 (12), 24 Jul 2012 15Win15–0 Vasile HertegKO1 (8), 24 Mar 2012 14Win14–0 Godfrey NzimandeUD1226 Nov 2011 13Win13–0 Hoang Sang NguyenKO5 (12), 29 Apr 2011 12Win12–0 Felix LoraUD1225 Feb 2011 11Win11–0 Cristian SpataruKO2 (6)4 Mar 2010 10Win10–0 Istvan HegedusTKO4 (6)28 Nov 2009 9Win9–0 Antonio HorvatićTKO1 (6)3 Oct 2009 8Win8–0 Suleyman DagTKO2 (6), 16 Apr 2009 7Win7–0 Sandor Fekete417 Dec 2008 6Win6–0 Edin KavaraKO1 (6), 18 Oct 2008 5Win5–0 Bojan ŽarkovKO1 (6)26 Sep 2008 4Win4–0 Tibor HorvathTKO1 (4)23 Aug 2008 3Win3–0 Bojan Žarkov1 (4)9 Aug 2008 2Win2–0 Enko Alic1 (6)1 Aug 2008 1Win1–0 Wladimir Borov3 (4)3 May 2008
References
External links
Q&A: Dejan Zlaticanin, post-Ricky Burns win by The Ring magazine Dejan Zlaticanin - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live