Dejan Zlatičanin (born 23 April 1984) is a Montenegrin professional boxer. He is the first Montenegrin to win a boxing world title, having held the WBC lightweight title from 2016 to 2017.
Zlatičanin made his professional debut on 3 May 2008, scoring a third-round technical decision against Wladimir Borov. On 1 February 2011, he won his first regional championship—the vacant WBC Mediterranean lightweight title—via unanimous decision (UD) over Felix Lora.[1] Later that year, on 26 November, he upgraded to the vacant WBC International title with a UD over Godfrey Nzimande, after which two successful defences were made between 2012 and 2013.
On 27 June 2014, Zlatičanin regained the same title (now vacant) by knocking down and winning an upset split decision against former world champion Ricky Burns.[2]
The pinnacle of Zlatičanin's career came on 11 June 2016, when he became the first Montenegrin world boxing champion by stopping Franklin Mamani in three rounds to win the vacant WBC lightweight title.[3]
Zlatičanin would lose the WBC lightweight title in his first title defense against Mikey Garcia, on January 28, 2017. Garcia was ranked #2 by the WBC at lightweight.[4] He was knocked out in the third round by a massive right hand from Garcia, and remained unconscious on the canvas for several minutes afterwards.[5]
On 11 September 2021, Zlaticanin faced Zaur Abdullaev, who was ranked #6 by the WBC and #10 by the IBF at lightweight. Zlaticanin lost the bout via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight in favor of Abdullaev, 119–109, 118–110 and 117–111.[6]
In his next bout, Zlaticanin fought Lewis Ritson. Ritson was consistently outboxed Zlaticanin throughout the fight and earned a unanimous decision victory, 100–90 twice and 99–91 in his favour.[7]
27 fights | 24 wins | 3 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 16 | 2 |
By decision | 8 | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 | Loss | 24–3 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 11 Sep 2021 | ![]() |
For vacant WBC Silver lightweight title |
26 | Win | 24–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | 10 Nov 2019 | ![]() |
|
25 | Loss | 23–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (10), 2:32 | 21 Jun 2018 | ![]() |
|
24 | Win | 23–1 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (8), 1:57 | 15 Dec 2017 | ![]() |
|
23 | Loss | 22–1 | ![]() |
KO | 3 (12), 2:21 | 28 Jan 2017 | ![]() |
Lost WBC lightweight title |
22 | Win | 22–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 (12), 0:54 | 11 Jun 2016 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBC lightweight title |
21 | Win | 21–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 4 (12), 1:24 | 13 Jun 2015 | ![]() |
|
20 | Win | 20–0 | ![]() |
UD | 10 | 25 Oct 2014 | ![]() |
|
19 | Win | 19–0 | ![]() |
SD | 12 | 27 Jun 2014 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBC International lightweight title |
18 | Win | 18–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (10), 2:27 | 24 Aug 2013 | ![]() |
|
17 | Win | 17–0 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 13 Apr 2013 | ![]() |
Retained WBC International lightweight title |
16 | Win | 16–0 | ![]() |
KO | 8 (12), 1:53 | 24 Jul 2012 | ![]() |
Retained WBC International lightweight title |
15 | Win | 15–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (8), 2:02 | 24 Mar 2012 | ![]() |
|
14 | Win | 14–0 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 26 Nov 2011 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBC International lightweight title |
13 | Win | 13–0 | ![]() |
KO | 5 (12), 2:06 | 29 Apr 2011 | ![]() |
Retained WBC Mediterranean lightweight title |
12 | Win | 12–0 | ![]() |
UD | 12 | 25 Feb 2011 | ![]() |
Won vacant WBC Mediterranean lightweight title |
11 | Win | 11–0 | ![]() |
KO | 2 (6) | 4 Mar 2010 | ![]() |
|
10 | Win | 10–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 4 (6) | 28 Nov 2009 | ![]() |
|
9 | Win | 9–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (6) | 3 Oct 2009 | ![]() |
|
8 | Win | 8–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 2 (6), 2:34 | 16 Apr 2009 | ![]() |
|
7 | Win | 7–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4 | 17 Dec 2008 | ![]() |
|
6 | Win | 6–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (6), 0:35 | 18 Oct 2008 | ![]() |
|
5 | Win | 5–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (6) | 26 Sep 2008 | ![]() |
|
4 | Win | 4–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (4) | 23 Aug 2008 | ![]() |
|
3 | Win | 3–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 (4) | 9 Aug 2008 | ![]() |
|
2 | Win | 2–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 (6) | 1 Aug 2008 | ![]() |
|
1 | Win | 1–0 | ![]() |
TD | 3 (4) | 3 May 2008 | ![]() |
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Regional boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Emiliano Marsili |
WBC Mediterranean lightweight champion 25 February 2011 – 26 November 2011 Won International title |
Vacant Title next held by Hedi Slimani | ||
Vacant Title last held by Matias Daniel Ferreyra |
WBC International lightweight champion 26 November 2011 – March 2014 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Sergio Thompson | ||
Vacant Title last held by Sergio Thompson |
WBC International lightweight champion 27 June 2014 – August 2015 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Luke Campbell | ||
World boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Jorge Linares |
WBC lightweight champion 11 June 2016 – 28 January 2017 |
Succeeded by Mikey Garcia |