It's been a busy past nine months for Dejan Zlaticanin, who captured the WBC International lightweight title in late June against former WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns. The action-packed Montenegrin was just two fights removed from the biggest win of his career against Spanish-based-Russian Petr Petrov. Petrov's career reached new heights after his loss to Zlaticanin when he traveled to The United States and got an opportunity to display his skills against then-undefeated prospect Fedor Papazov on ESPN's Friday Night Fights.
Two fights and fourteen months later, Zlaticanin traveled to Glasgow, Scotland and won a decision against Ricky Burns, who is now scheduled to face the former WBC lightweight champion Omar Figueroa in May. Having been at the top of the WBC rankings since his victory against Ricky Burns and seeing his two most important defeated opponents continuously getting big fights just didn't seem right. It is why Dejan Zlaticanin now feels he has an opportunity to make a big splash and shakeup the lightweight division in 2015, as he has signed with powerful adviser Al Haymon within the past week.
The WBC has ordered a final eliminator between Dejan Zlaticanin and Ivan Redkach, the undefeated Ukrainian who has made his mark on American TV within the past year with impressive performances on Showtime and ESPN.
I briefly spoke with Dejan after his announcement that he is signing with Al Haymon and this is what he had to say:
AT: Dejan, once again congratulations on your newly announced contract with Al Haymon. I've spoke with you multiple times since your victory over Ricky Burns in 2014 and each time you've expressed a burning desire to fight for a title. One of the men you've been calling out since capturing the WBC International lightweight title is former WBC champion Omar Figueroa, whom is now scheduled to fight Ricky Burns in May.
It is well-known that Al Haymon fighters get big and lucrative fight opportunities. Did seeing Ricky Burns get a fight with Omar Figueroa before you have any affect on you and your camps decision to sign with Al Haymon? Did you feel Al Haymon gives you the best chance for a lightweight championship fight?
DZ: Hi Almir. Thank you once again. I have a big desire to fight for a world title because I know I deserve a title fight. I would of liked that he stayed in the lightweight division and I could of gotten a chance to fight him.
Of course, I have other offers from more managers and promoters but Haymon gave me the best terms. In the end of this year or the beginning of next year I hope I will fight for the title.
AT: Are you allowed to confirm a name of any potential opponent you may be facing next, and possibly when?
DZ: WBC has ordered me to fight Ivan Redkach in a final eliminator for the WBC title. I don't know the date or place yet, but it will be in the USA.
AT: You've spent the majority of your career in your home country of Montenegro and have traveled across Europe, now that you have signed with an American adviser such as Al Haymon, what kind of changes, if any, will we be seeing to the Dejan Zlaticanin camp? Will there be a move to the United States to stay closer to where you'll most likely be fighting in the near future and if so, has your management team presented any ideas of potentially new places to fight out of?
DZ: I will be preparing for my fights in the USA. I do not yet know from where I will fight out of, but I will know the details soon!
AT: In regards to your upcoming bout, possibly against Redkach, has there been any talks of it airing live on American TV?
DZ: I think the fight with Redkach will be live on American TV.
AT: Any thoughts on the upcoming Figueroa-Burns, and Crawford-Dulorme fights?
DZ: I think Burns will beat Figueroa, he doesn't have the power to hurt Burns. Crawford will win a unanimous decision.
AT: To wrap things up, what should American boxing fans who may have never saw you fight before expect from Dejan Zlaticanin in 2015 and do you have a message for your new-found supporters in America and the loyal following you have already build in Europe on whats to come in the coming year?
DZ: I want them to know they will enjoy every fight of mine because of my style. I love to fight. My message is to follow my career and I will not disappoint you.
My message to future opponents is: El Dinamita is coming and will blow you up!
