NABF light heavyweight champion Ismayl Sillakh (14-0, 12 KOs) of the Ukraine is all ready and set to meet fellow unbeaten Yordanis Despaigne (8-0, 4 KOs) of Cuba March 4th. ESPN2 Friday Night Fight Series will televise the main event. The bout is a rarity these days as such promising prospects usually don’t meet at this stage of their careers. Both fighters bring a wealth of amateur experience to the table. Despaigne is a former 2004 Olympian for Cuba and Sillakh won over 300 amateur bouts for his native Ukraine. The match-up on paper is for sure the toughest for each to date. “There is no doubt about it that this is a serious fight but I know I have the better guy,” stated Sillakh trainer Shadeed Suluki. Sillakh has been based in Southern California for a few years now where he has trained with Suluki since turning professional. Suluki gained major notoriety for leading a prime Lamon Brewster to his monumental upset of Wladimir Klitschko in 2004. Fightnews caught up with Sillakh as he is now winding down his training camp.

Do you see this as a home fight for Despaigne with the large Cuban contingent in Florida?

I’m sure that this is good for him in terms of support. I don’t worry about that so much because it will only be he and I in the ring. Once the first punch is the thrown I’m sure neither of us will be thinking about the crowd.

What do you know about Despaigne?

I’m familiar with him from back when we were both amateurs. We never fought but we competed in the same amateur competitions so I’ve seen him fight live. His last amateur fight that I know of was 2005 and then he turned professional in 2009. That is a lot of time out of the ring. I’ve watched videos of him fight as a professional and I see him as your typical Cuban fighter with very good boxing skills but not really a big puncher. I don’t expect him to punch with me but if he does I will be ready and if he just wants to box I’m ready for that also.

You’re going on your third year in the US. How has your adjustment been?

I’m fully adjusted and happy with the way everything is going for me. I have my wife and my son here with me. My son was actually born here in the U.S. So I have a good piece of mind with both of them here with me. Its just up to me to take care of business in the ring.

How has the support been for you from your fellow U.S. based Ukrainians since your arrival to the U.S. in 2008?

There are a lot of Ukrainians in the U.S. with a very large amount in Chicago, Illinois. I’m not as known right now but I expect a lot of support as I continue to build up my name.

This will be your first televised main event in front of a national US audience. How anxious are you for this opportunity?

It’s definitely a good opportunity for me to show my skills but I already know what I can do and will do so come fight night.