Alexey Vasilyevich Papin

Alexey Vasilyevich Papin is a Russian cruiserweight contender known for heavy-handed finishes and a steady climb through the domestic and regional scene. The orthodox southpaw — sorry, orthodox-stance fighter — from Reutov/Moscow stands 185 cm and has built a career defined by stoppages; his pro record sits at 18 wins, 1 loss and 1 no-contest, with 17 of those victories coming inside the distance. Papin has consolidated his place in the cruiserweight ranks by collecting multiple regional titles during 2024 while remaining an active presence in Russia’s top boxing venues. Papin turned heads early in his professional run by compiling a series of stoppage wins across four- to eight-round assignments in Russia, working his way up from domestic cards in Moscow and beyond. He captured his first notable international-level belt when he stopped Willbeforce Shihepo in June 2018 to take the vacant IBF International cruiserweight title. Papin defended and reasserted his standing at that level with another stoppage of Alexandru Jur in June 2019, again for the IBF International cruiserweight crown. The toughest test of Papin’s career to date came later in 2019 when he challenged for the WBC Silver cruiserweight title. Over 12 rounds in Chelyabinsk, he went the distance and suffered his lone professional defeat, a majority decision loss to Ilunga Makabu. Papin regrouped thereafter with a run of stoppage victories, including a sixth-round TKO of former domestic contender Ruslan Fayfer in August 2020 and quick finishes of Václav Pejsar (April 2021) and Dilan Prašović (May 2022). A contest in late 2023 with Soslan Asbarov is recorded in his ledger as a no-contest; initial accounts listed a decision, and subsequent reports noted the result was overturned. Papin returned to the ring in 2024 and captured three regional/continental cruiserweight titles in short order: the vacant Eurasian Boxing Parliament (EBP) cruiserweight title (KO of Igor Vilchitskiy, March 8, 2024), the vacant WBA Asia East cruiserweight title (KO of Isaac Chilemba, May 24, 2024) and the WBA Asia cruiserweight title (TKO of Felix Valera, August 30, 2024). These belts are regional distinctions rather than primary world championships, but they underscore Papin’s position among the stronger regional figures at cruiserweight. Papin’s resume is built on power and finishing ability, with a majority of wins coming inside the distance and a willingness to step up in scheduled 10- and 12-round fights. As an active cruiserweight with recent regional titles, he remains a notable presence in the division’s regional rankings and a fighter to watch for further moves on the continental scene.