Andrei Mikhailovich Driessen (Russian: Андрей Михайлович; born 15 December 1997) is a Russian born, New Zealand raised professional boxer. He has won multiple New Zealand national championships in two weight classes from light middleweight to middleweight. At regional level, Mikhailovich has also won the IBF Pan-Pacific and WBO Global middleweight belts.[1][2][3]
Early life
Mikhailovich and his twin brother were born in Russia. They were adopted from an orphanage in 1999 when they were 18 months old.[4]
Amateur career
Mikhailovich's amateur career has been described as decent. During his amateur career he competed in multiple New Zealand National championships and has won the North Island Golden Gloves Championships. It was at an amateur boxing event where he met his current coach and manager Isaac Peach at Peach Boxing.[5]
Professional career
Professional Debut, Gunnar Jackson Rivalry, New Zealand Champion 2018 - 2020
In April 2018, Mikhailovich made his professional boxing debut against Rob Ramsey. In the first 12 months of his professional boxing career, he defeated many credible opponents including Jerome Pascua, former WBA PABA and New Zealand Champion Adrian Taihia and former IBO Oceania Champion Chase Haley.[6][7][8] In this time Mikhailovich fought multiple journeyman as well including Simon Julian and former New Zealand champion Daniel Maxwell.[9][10]
In August 2019, Mikhailovich fought against his first major rival, former top 10 in the WBO Gunnar Jackson. The fight against Jackson was considered a grudge match as Mikhailovich called out Jackson earlier in the year.[11] On top of that, Mikhailovich coach Isaac Peach has beaten Jackson in a past as a professional boxer.[12] After ten rounds, Mikhailovhich won the fight by unanimous decision, almost winning every round against Jackson, securing himself his first professional boxing belt winning the New Zealand National (Pro Box NZ version) Middleweight title.[13] After the fight, Jackson announced that he has retired from professional boxing.[14]
In November 2020, Mikhailovich fought and defeated Marcus Heywood by unanimous decision for his second New Zealand title, but this time the PBCNZ version in the Super Welterweight division.[15] In April 2021, he defended the title successfully against former New Zealand champion Shay Brock, winning the fight by TKO.[16]
Alex Hanan Rivalry, Regional titles 2021 - 2022
In June 2021, Mikhailovich fought Alex Hanan (now known as Alex Walters) in a grudge match.[17] The Rivalry started in July 2018 with Alex making comments about Andrei Mikhailovich in an interview with New Zealand YouTube Boxing Channel Gladrap.[18] Mikhailovich responded with his own comments in December 2018 in his own interview with Gladrap saying "I want to fight you, I always wanted to fight you, and when I do I will back you up and probably knock you out".[19] Mikhailovich had a war of words with Alex at the press conference for their fight in May 2021 with Mikhailovich responding "Call me daddy... I’ll f*** you up".[20] Right before the fight directly after the referee gave his last words before the fight, Alex landed a cheap gut shot to Mikhailovich.[21] However, it did not affect Mikhailovich as he won the fight by TKO in the second round.[22] Everything to do with the fight from the press conference, to the gut punch pre-fight, to the stoppage itself went viral over the internet, reaching millions of viewers.[23]
In 2022, it was confirmed that Mikhailovich and his stablemate from Peach Boxing Jerome Pampellone signed a long term promoter agreement with Dean Lonergan.[24] In April 2022, Mikhailovich took on 2002 Commonwealth Games light welterweight bronze medallist and Olympian King Davidson.[25] It didn't take Mikhailovich as he landed less than 4 punches to knockout Davidson in less than a minute and fifteen second in the first round.[26] In June 2022, Mikhailovich took on his next international opponent from Venezuela Ernesto Espana.[27] Mikhailovich won the fight by third round stoppage winning his first regional titles including the IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title and WBO Global middleweight title.[28][29] In June 2022, Mikhailovich made his debut in the world rankings in the Middleweight division with him reaching 13th in the IBF and 12th in the WBO.[30][31] In July 2022, Mikhailovich took on New Zealander Francis Waitai.[32][33] Despite winning the fight by unanimous decision, Mikhailovich was disappointed in his performance.[34] In November 2022, it was announced that Mikhailovich would take on his current biggest rival Issac Hardman.[35] Unfortunately 18 days after the announcement, the fight was postponed to 2023 due to Hardman partner giving birth to their child. Promoter Dean Lonergan said "Issac had a baby about three or four days ago. I got a phone call from his trainer saying 'look, Issac's not great at saying no. I don't think he can handle having a baby and fighting sort of three weeks apart'".[36] Since his last fight, he has increased his ranking to 10th in the IBF[37] and 12th in WBO.[38]
World title shot 2023 - 2024
On 27 April 2023, Mikhailovich took on undefeated Venezuelian boxer, Edisson Saltarin.[39] Mikhailovich got knockdown in the first round, however, he overcame the knockdown to stop Saltarin in the fifth round.[40] In June 2023, it was announced that Mikhailovich will take on Denis Radovan for the top two mandatory position with the IBF, with the winner guaranteed a World title shot.[41] It was revealed that negotiations hit a brick wall where there were disputes over who should have the TV Rights for the fight with the promoter opting for DAZN and Dean Lonergan wanting Sky Arena for New Zealand.[42] The fight has been confirmed for 16 December in the UK.[43] In February 2024, Mikhailovich and Peach Boxing announced their departure with Dean Lonergan D&L Events and had signed with No Limit Boxing under Matt and George Rose.[44]
Exhibition career
In November 2019, Mikhailovich fought in China against their National Champion. The opponent was 10 kgs heavier than Mikhailovich.[45]
Boxing titles
Amateur
2016 Golden Gloves North Island Championship (Gold)
