Former IBF 140lbs champion Sergey Lipinets feels he has been transformed as a fighter after linking up with renowned boxing trainer Joe Goossen.
Lipinets (16-1, 12 KOs) has worked with the highly respected Goossen for the past two years since moving up to welterweight after losing his IBF crown against Mikey Garcia (L12) in March 2018.
The California-based Russian downed former champion Lamont Peterson in 10 rounds last year and will further test his credentials when he meets Uzbek Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (17-0, 9 KOs) for the IBF interim 147lbs title at the Mohegan Sun Casino on October 24.
“My progression is totally attributed to working with Joe Goossen,” said Lipinets. “It’s like going from a high school education, then to college, and now I feel like I’m in graduate school. I’ve learned more with Joe than in all my previous time in the sport.
“Joe Goossen has taught me a lot about the short game and working on the inside. He’s also helped me with my lateral movement and made me way more durable. That’s all combined with my power increasing at 147 pounds. I’m ready to show all of it on October 24.”
Photo: Stephanie Trapp/TGB Promotions.
A win over Abdukakhorov will nudge Lipinets towards a lucrative confrontation against the winner of the bout between unified champion Errol Spence and former two weight title-holder Danny Garcia who meet on December 5 in Texas.
“I don’t really think about the other top welterweight fighters like Errol Spence Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter or Terence Crawford,” said Lipinets. “In order to get to them, I have to win on October 24. Then everything else will fall into place. The top guys will fight me when they have to. That’s been the story of my career. Nobody has fought me because they wanted to, but usually because they had to.
“Nobody is at the top of the IBF rankings for nothing. Abdukakhorov had a successful amateur career with a lot of fights. He moves fast and knows his way around the ring. I know he’s tough, strong and he’ll do his best to stay in there with me. But I’m going to box him, fight at a distance if I have to, and pile up points against him. I expect a great fight. I’ll have a plan for whatever he brings to the table and get the win however I have to!”
Main image: Sergey Lipinets and coach Joe Goossen. Photo: Stephanie Trapp/TGB Promotions.