May 22nd-Russian supercard and the end of Friday Night Fights

This Friday promises a lot on paper with a number of interesting match ups, many coming from Russia, whilst in the US fans get the chance to see the final “ESPN Friday Night Fights”.

The Russian show is one of the most stacked of the year so far and doesn't feature a bout that isn't worth noting.

The expected opening bout will see fast rising prospect Dmitry Bivol (2-0, 2) battle against the experienced Joey Vegas (17-10-2, 10). Bivol is a fighter on the fast track to the top and has impressed in both of his bouts so far, a stoppage against Vegas however would be the best result of his career by far. Notably Vegas has gone the distance, in recent fights, with Dmitry Sukhotsky and Egor Mekhontsev so this this is a very brave step by Bivol and his team.

In a female title bout Svetlana Kulakova (9-0-1, 1) will be defending her WBA interim female Light Welterweight title against Marie Riederer (15-2-1, 10) in a wonderful match up and a really good test for the unbeaten Russian.

One of the two Heavyweight bouts on this card will see former world title challengers collide as Alex Leapai (30-6-3, 24) take on Manuel Charr (27-3, 16). Charr will be hoping to get back to winning ways following a decision loss last time out to Johann Duhaupas whilst Leapai is trying to score his first win since a huge upset over Denis Boytsov back in November 2013.

The other Heavyweight bout is really mouth watering as Alexander Povetkin (28-1, 20) takes on Mike Perez (21-1-1, 13). Povetkin, who has the second best resume of any active Heavyweight, is looking to record his third notable win since his 2013 loss to Wladimir Klitschko. Perez on the the other hand is trying to scored his biggest win to date. Sadly Perez hasn't looked great in recent bouts, following his tragic contest with Magomed Abdulsalamov in November 2013, and if he's not in fine form here he will almost certainly suffer his second loss in 3 bouts. The winner of this fight will claim the WBC silver Heavyweight title and move towards a bout with Wladimir Klitschko.

At Cruiserweight we get a trio of bouts. One of those will see fast rising destroyer Dmitry Kudryashov (17-0, 17) attempt to continue his streak as he battles Namibian tough guy Vikapita Meroro (28-4, 14). On paper this looks like it could be a good test though in reality Meroro is the much smaller man and will be lucky to survive the terrifying power of the unbeaten Russian.

Another of the Cruiserweight bouts will see Rakhim Chakhkiev (22-1, 17) battle against the unbeaten Junior Anthony Wright (13-0-1, 11). Chakhkiev should have too much for Wright, who is taking a huge step up in class. The winner of this bout will claim the IBO Cruiserweight title.

The remaining Cruiserweight title bout is a WBC Cruiserweight title bout as Grigory Drozd (39-1, 27) defends his belt against Lukasz Janik (28-2, 15). Originally Drozd was supposed to fight Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, though Wlodarczyk pulled out and was replaced by his Polish compatriot. Incidentally Drozd won the title from Wlodarczyk last time out.

In the US we see the final ESPN Friday Night Fights and it's a show that concludes the Boxcino tournaments.

In the Boxcino Heavyweight final we'll see Andrey Fedosov (27-3, 22) take on Donovan Dennis (12-1, 10) in a really exciting bout. Both of these guys can punch and both have been dropped in recent bouts, so we're hoping for an exciting contest here.

The other Boxcino bout will be at Light Middleweight and see the fun to watch Brandon Adams (17-1, 12) take on John Thompson (16-1, 5). This isn't as good on paper as the other bout but will almost certainly be a great bout and see both fighters going for the win.