Andrei Arlovski’s pro boxing debut scheduled for April 11

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is scheduled to make his professional boxing debut during the undercard of the Golden Boy-promoted Paul Williams vs. Winky Wright middleweight matchup to be held on April 11 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

The news was first reported by ESPN boxing reporter and analyst Dan Rafael. According to Rafael, an opponent has yet to be named for the four round encounter.

Arlovski’s entry into boxing had been expected for quite some time. Having worked for the past year with famed boxing trainer Freddie Roach, Arlovski had also recently signed a contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

The Belarus native still also has a promotional MMA contract with Affliction Entertainment and is expected to compete for the promotion’s third event, which could take place sometime this summer.

Sherdog’s Loretta Hunt is reporting that Arlovski is preparing to participate in back-to-back training camps in order to honor both his MMA and boxing commitments.

“We’re not switching gears to boxing,” Arlovski’s manager Leo Khorlinsky is quoted as telling Hunt on Friday. “MMA is still our priority. Our commitment to Affliction is still a number-one priority and we’re looking forward to fighting on their next event.”

Arlovski most recently headlined Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” event last month. Facing WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko, he was defeated following a first round knockout.