Arthur Biyarslanov set to debut as headliner against late-sub Tamas Kiliti in Canada

On Thursday, Arthur Biyarslanov will headline a card for the first time in his career when he faces late substitute Tamas Kiliti at the Montreal Casino, Montreal.

Biyarslanov, who claimed the NABF junior welterweight title last time out, is looking to build on that momentum and get himself into the world title picture in the near future.

While the change in opponent from veteran Marcos Villasana Jr., isn’t ideal, he is taking it in his stride.

“It’s just another fight for me, I usually get ready for every fight, I train the same, I train hard and want to put on a good show,” Biyarslanov (15-0, 13 knockouts) told The Ring. “The opponent may change, but the goal remains the same.”

Biyarslanov, who is now a Canadian citizen, has come a long way since he first moved to Canada back in 2007.

“I was born in Makhachkala, Dagestan because of the war in 1995 with Chechnya,” he explained. “We came back after the war to Chechnya and stayed for four years, then the second Cold War started in 1999/2000 and that’s when I moved to Azerbaijan and we lived there for about six years before we came to Canada.

“I came here when I was young, so for me, it was easy for me to adapt and learned the language really quick. As I got older I could tell the difference. Every country has their own way of life. I am settled in Canada and I’ve been living here for almost 20 years. I’m used to it now.”

Initially he played soccer and intended for that to be his chosen path. However, things turned out rather different.

“I started about three years after I came to Canada,” he said of his first foray into boxing. “My brother kinda forced me into it, he wanted me to learn to box and self-defense. I was a big-time soccer player. I thought one day I was going to be a soccer player but here I am a boxer.”

He went on enjoy a highly successful amateur that culminated in his representing his adopted homeland at the 2016 Olympics.

“It was amazing, it’s the biggest step you can get to,” he said of his appearance at the showpiece event. “I was the only male Canadian that qualified. I think I had one of the best amateur careers in the four years from 2013/17.

“I went to three world championships, where I got bronze twice. I went to Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games, Olympics Games. I feel like in those four years I did the maximum I could. I only had 98 fights, I did a lot in those fights. I think it was the perfect timing to turn professional.”

Biyarslanov made his debut in his hometown of Toronto with a first-round knockout over Ernesto Cardona in December 2018.

Although he was able to fight, his activity noticeably suffered, and he ended up fighting just twice a year from 2020 to 2023.

Arthur Biyarslanov – Photo by Vincent Ethier

“When I first started my professional career it was a bit difficult because Covid started right after in 2020 and that kind of put me back and the companies didn’t have many fights. But here with Eye of the Tiger they’re active,” he explained. “I think they have shows every month, and I’m fighting very often which is what I need. I need to be active, I need to get more fights to get to that world level.

“I’m sure with Eye of the Tiger they’re going to get me to it. They’re keeping me very active, it’s my third fight in less than six months. It’s what I needed, and now they’re putting me as the main event which is great – it’s amazing.”

While Biyarslanov holds the NABF title, that isn’t the extent of his aspirations.

“I want to fight for a world title by next summer,” he said. “Hopefully two or three more fights, if I get the proper fights and the big fights and if I perform. That’s my goal when I’m 30-years-old, I want to be world champion, which is just around the corner.

“Every belt there is a different champion in my weight category, so to be honest it doesn’t really matter as long as I get a shot.”

Camille Estephan of Eye of the Tiger believes Biyarslanov is a good addition to the already talent laden junior welterweight division.

“Artur is a very serious athlete,” said Estephan. “His work ethic and strength was compared to (IBF, WBC and WBO light heavyweight titlist Artur) Beterbiev by his strength trainer André Kulesza (who works with both.) His boxing abilities are excellent so the plan is to fast track him, he looks to be ready to face the elite.”

Kiliti (10-0, 6 KOs) turned professional in his native Hungary in 2019, where all of his fights have taken place. In his most recent outing he outpointed Miguel Antin (UD 8) in May. This is a marked step up in class for him.

Biyarslanov-Kiliti, plus undercard bouts, will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. ET/ 3:30 p.m. PT and on punchinggrace.com in Canada.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].

Follow @AnsonWainwright