Two Russians go head-to-head this Saturday when Alexander Kotlobay defends his world ranking and WBC Baltic title against rising German based Rakhim ''The Machine'' Chakhkiev at the Grand Elysee Hotel in Hamburg. Kotlobay, ranked 7th by the WBC is by far the more experienced of the two, but his limitations were exposed when he was knocked out inside a round by Enzo Maccarinelli in 2010, and hard punching 2008 Olympic gold medalist Chakhkiev has an 81% knockout ratio thus far in his career.

31 year old Kotlobay (21-2-1, 15 KOs) is now in his eighth year as a pro. He went 18-1-1 in his first 20 fights, losing only to one-time Danish prospect Anders Hugger (Hugger was forced to retire undefeated after losing the sight in one eye) on a six round decision. Kotlobay scored victories over Mikhail Nasyrov (DQ 5), Jozsef Nagy (KO2), Lubos Suda (TKO5), Valery Volozhenin (KO1) and captured the IBF International Cruiserweight title with a second-round TKO over Mauro Ordiales.

In April 2010 he faced Enzo Maccarinelli for the vacant E.B.U cruiserweight title and was stopped inside a round. In fairness to Kotlobay, Maccarinelli has taken out many quality fighters in the first round, and the Russian could do little to stem the flow of powerful punches coming from the 6'4" Welshman.

Kotlobay captured the WBC Baltic cruiserweight title with a seventh round TKO over Laszlo Hubert in October 2010, and defended it twice last year against moderate opposition. Now he puts his title on the line against a fighter of genuinely outstanding pedigree.

Powerful southpaw Rakhim Chakhkiev (11-0, 9 KOs) is possibly the most exciting Russian prospect emerging at the moment. Compact and bustling with a style that brings to mind Mike Tyson and countryman Denis Boytsov, Chakhkiev is well schooled and extremely heavy handed, with knockout power in both fists, and is just as effective at body-punching as he is at head-hunting.

28 year old Chakhkiev was a late starter in the pro ranks due to his extensive and highly successful amateur career that saw him win a silver in the World Amateur Championships, a gold in the World Military Championships, both in 2007, and gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, all at heavyweight (in amateur boxing, the heavyweight limit is 201 lbs, just one pound over the professional cruiserweight limit.)

Chakhkiev turned pro in Germany in late 2009, and within six months had won his first five fights on knockout. He was then taken the distance twice by durable Pole Lukasz Rusiewicz in his next three bouts, but has since scored three more KOs, including a fourth round stoppage of American veteran Michael Simms. Chakhkiev became the first man to stop Simms, who has lasted the course against the likes of Yanqui Diaz, Ola Afolabi, Alexander Frenkel, current WBO cruiserweight champ Marco Huck and newly crowned IBF title holder Yoan Pablo Hernandez.

The 6', 200 lb Chakhkiev looks set to be the main threat in 2012 to the likes of Huck, Hernandez, Steve Cunningham, Denis Lebedev and the other top cruiserweights. In time, Chakhkiev may just establish himself as the best of the bunch, and with his exciting style and punching power, big money bouts in the heavyweight division would surely follow.

Chakhkiev should have little trouble dealing with Kotlobay, and it is not inconceivable that this fight could end as fast as the Maccarinelli bout. However, I think that Kotlobay is experienced enough to avoid Chakhkiev's power for a few rounds, with the end coming in round five via a count out, possibly from a vicious body shot.

Chakhkiev by KO in five.

Fight Odds: Rakhim Chakhkiev 1/33, Alexander Kotlobay 9/1 bet365