Junior middleweight Andreas Katzourakis believes his days as an anonymous prospect in American boxing are numbered as he aims to keep his unbeaten record intact and elevate to contender status on Friday night.
Katzourakis, the 27-year-old Greek fighter, stands on the brink of a breakthrough in the OTX tournament final, where he’ll face Brandon Adams. A win here could see Katzourakis elevated from “prospect” to contender—a leap he’s fought hard to make. For the junior middleweight, a victory would not only bring a $100,000 bonus and a coveted OTX promotional contract but also the legitimacy he’s long craved in hopes of one day bringing a title back to Greece.
The two fighters, Katzourakis and Adams, will clash in a 10-round main event at OTX 11, held at the Corey Studios in Atlanta. The bout will be telecast on DAZN.
Katzourakis, 14-0 (10 KOs), who trained with Abel Sanchez early in his career before linking up with Ronnie Shields in Houston, has scraped through his tournament matchups, grinding out a majority decision against Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in the quarter-finals and a split-decision over Robert Terry in the semi-finals. “The first fight of the tournament with Kudratillo made the statement,” Katzourakis said. “I think Brandon Adams is going to be a way bigger statement in terms of who he’s fought and who he’s beaten.”
Katzourakis first fought for OTX last August, and then entered the OTX junior middleweight tournament intrigued by the chance to climb the ranks faster. “At the end of the day, we’re fighters who want to fight anyone,” he told BoxingScene. “If that’s the road for me to get the harder fights and move forward faster, then that’s what I’m going to take. After this tournament, no questions asked, I’m going to be a contender.”
Standing across from him will be Adams, a 35-year-old veteran with a 25-3 (16 KOs) record, who boasts his own battle-worn experience in the tournament format. Adams, known for his power, won “The Contender” reboot in 2018 and made it to the Boxcino tournament finals before falling to John Thompson. This time he arrives in the finals having knocked out Ismael Villarreal in the quarters and overpowering Francisco Daniel Vernon in the semis.
The upcoming fight promises a potential meeting of two like-minded individuals, with Katzourakis eager for the kind of aggressive, close-quarters brawl his last two opponents denied him. “I don’t just enjoy the boxing part of the sport; I really enjoy the fighting part,” he said. “Adams is a strong guy. He likes close combat as well, and it’s something I enjoy. I think it’s going to be an amazing fight.”
Though he respects Adams’ skill and power, Katzourakis wonders if the veteran’s age might show in the later rounds. “Adams is very experienced, and he has a strong physique, not just a strong punch,” he said. “But do I think his age might play a factor in the later rounds? It might—we’ll find out.”
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