SULTAN ZAURBEK is set to return to Kazakhstan next month, bidding to become the mandatory challenger for IBF world champion Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez.
It was in his home nation where the 29-year-old outpointed Azinga Fuzile, a solid operator in his own right, to become the sanctioning body’s leading contender at 130lbs last April.
But this time around, the formidable Kazakh is hoping to cement his position against Jackson Jon England, the IBF’s fifth-ranked contender, in a final eliminator.
Wasserman Boxing promoter Nisse Sauerland has confirmed that much to Boxing News, while also revealing that their showdown, which is expected to be announced soon enough, has been pencilled in for late October.
Zaurbek, 20-0 (13 KOs), is no stranger to a British boxing audience, having fought on these shores multiple times, and perhaps most notably defeated seasoned veteran Ronnie Clark in 2021.
His next opponent, meanwhile, dropped a closely-contested points decision to fellow Australian, and former world title challenger, Liam Wilson back in 2023.
Besides that, England’s most meaningful outing saw him edge a split decision against former world champion Jamel Herring – who, in fairness, was on the brink of retirement – in April 2024.
But in any case, Zaurbek should enter their contest as a considerable favourite, not least because of the manner in which he dealt with tricky customer Fuzile.
As for Nunez, the Mexican made a successful defence of his IBF strap against Christopher Diaz last Saturday, moments before facing off with WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete.
Should their all-Mexican unification materialise, it is likely that the winner of Zaurbek vs England will then be mandated to challenge for the IBF title soon after.
