Professional Boxing in NZ

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New Zealand boxer Robert Berridge to fight for WBA light heavyweight world title in Russia

Kiwi boxer Robert Berridge will fight for the WBA light heavyweight world title next month.

The 32-year-old signed a deal on Wednesday to fight Russian Dmytry Bivol in Russia for the interim WBA title on February 23.

The fight will be Berridge's 36th in a professional career which stretches back to 2009.

He has a 29 win, five loss, one draw record and his showdown with Bivol will be the biggest assignment in his career as he chases a world title.

Bivol has had eight professional fights to date and has won all eight, with six of them by knockout.

Berridge was impressive when progressing through the ranks early in his professional career but has stalled and regrouped of late.

In 2015 he did land a shot at the IBO title against South African Thomas Oosthuizen in South Africa but lost by unanimous decision.

He has won his last two fights which were against fellow New Zealand boxers Adrian Taihia and Sam Rapira.

Berridge is currently ranked 57th in the world.

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