Igor Gennadyevich Mikhalkin (; born 31 May 1985) is a Russian professional boxer. He held the IBO light-heavyweight title from 2017 to 2018 and challenged once for the WBO light-heavyweight title in 2018. At regional level, he held the European light-heavyweight title between 2014 and 2016.
Professional career Mikhalkin made his professional debut in November 2007. On his 12th professional contest, he suffered a loss to Aleksy Kuziemski. In April 2014, Mikhalkin defeated Mohamed Belkacem by unanimous decision to claim the European light-heavyweight title. He made three successful defenses of that title, with the last coming against Patrick Bois in March 2016. During his tenure as European champion, Mikhalkin was highly ranked by the IBF.
Prior to his continental title defense against Bois, Mikhalkin tested positive and admitted to taking meldonium, a substance banned by WADA and was stripped by the EBU. He was also banned for two years by the EBU. The suspension was lifted in November of that same year.
Mikhalkin vs. Oosthuizen In May 2017, Mikhalkin defeated Thomas Oosthuizen to claim the IBO light-heavyweight title.
Mikhalkin vs. Kovalev On March 3, 2018, Mikhalkin challenged WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev for his belt. Kovalev defeated Mikhalkin in the seventh round via TKO.
Mikhalkin vs. Bauderlique On September 10, 2021, Mikhalkin fought Mathieu Bauderlique, ranked #5 by the WBC, #9 by the IBF, #10 by the WBA and #12 by the WBA at light heavyweight. Mikhalkin lost the bout after retiring at the end of the seventh round.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes28Win25–3 Dilmurod SatybaldievUD1012 Nov 2022 27Loss24–3 Mathieu BauderliqueRTD7 (12), 10 Sep 2021 26Win24–2 Denis TsaryukTKO4 (8), 20 Mar 2021 25Win23–2 Timur NikarkhoevUD126 Jul 2019 24Win22–2 Bernard Donfack1 (10), 8 Sep 2018 23Loss21–2 Sergey KovalevTKO7 (12), 3 Mar 2018 22Win21–1 Doudou NgumbuUD122 Dec 2017 21Win20–1 Thomas OosthuizenUD1219 May 2017 20Win19–1 Yevgeni MakhteienkoUD818 Mar 2017 19Win18–1 Patrick BoisUD1212 Mar 2016 18Win17–1 Hugo KasperskiUD129 Oct 2015 17Win16–1 Hakim ChiouiKO9 (12)14 Mar 2014 16Win15–1 Mohamed Belkacem8 (12)11 Apr 2014 15Win14–1 Doudou Ngumbu125 Jul 2013 14Win13–1 Hamza WanderaTKO6 (8), 18 Sep 2012 13Win12–1 Yavuz Keles67 Jul 2012 12Loss11–1 Aleksy KuziemskiUD1022 May 2010 11Win11–0 Doudou Ngumbu819 Dec 2009 10Win10–0 Karim BennamaUD86 Jun 2009 9Win9–0 Jose TavaresUD620 Mar 2009 8Win8–0 DeAndrey AbronTKO2 (6), 7 Mar 2009 7Win7–0 Sergey BeloshapkinKO4 (8), 10 Jan 2009 6Win6–0 Emmanoel Martins da SilvaKO3 (6), 15 Nov 2008 5Win5–0 Patrick LinkertTKO3 (4)10 Oct 2008 4Win4–0 Mariusz Radziszewski411 Jul 2008 3Win3–0 Mihaly KratkiTKO2 (4), 16 May 2008 2Win2–0 Richard Remen1 (4), 4 Dec 2007 1Win1–0 Stefan Stanko2 (4), 30 Nov 2007
References
External links
Igor Mikhalkin - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live