MMA fighter Minakov stated the need to take on challenges as a man

A man must accept challenges and fight even not in his sport. This was stated on November 28 by MMA fighter Vitaly Minakov before his fight with Kevin Johnson as part of the gala show "REN TV Fight Club. Superseries."

As the athlete said, at first he refused to hold a fight under the rules of boxing, as it is not the discipline in which he would like to perform. But next year the fighter is waiting for a fight in MMA with a competitive opponent, in connection with what Minakov and decided to try his hand at boxing.

"I have always believed and believe that a man should take challenges, overcome difficulties, whatever they may be. This is self-development and forward movement, additional motivation," the athlete emphasized.

Minakov added that he is not a boxer, and for him such a fight is a gamble, but not a "hopeless option".

Earlier, on November 25, sports commentator Alexander Sadokov said that U.S. -born and Russian citizen boxer Kevin Johnson has a slight advantage in a fight with MMA legend Vitaly Minakov. He called both athletes great masters who have their own strengths. However, the bout will be held under boxing rules, which shows the low success rate of mixed martial arts fighters. Sadokov cited Floyd Mayweather's victory over UFC champion Conor McGregor in a 2017 fight as an example.

A massive boxing tournament as part of the gala show "REN TV Fight Club. Superseries" will take place on December 13 in the sports complex "Megasport". MMA fighter's fight with Johnson will be the main event of the evening. Boxer Alexei Papin and American fighter Greg Hardy will meet in a consensual bout. Also European champion and two-time Russian boxing champion Sergey Kuzmin and professional boxer Murad Khalidov will enter the ring.

The live broadcast of this event will start on REN TV at 23:30.