Every area around the globe gets to see their peak days at differing times in boxing, and currently, the country of Uzbekistan is flooded with talent that is beginning to surface at the top levels of the sport. The best of the bunch is former amateur standout, and now reigning Unified WBA/IBF Super-Bantamweight Champion
๐บ๐ฟMurodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev (8-0-0, 6KO
) bar none.
Being out of the ring 15 months for obvious reasons, he will finally have his chance to defend his titles for the first time, against Japanese former IBF title holder ๐ฏ๐ตRyosuke Iwasa (27-3-0, 17KO), who is looking to reclaim back what he lost.
Akhmadaliev has been a marvel on all levels of the sport, having reportedly putting together a 300-20 record in the amateur system, amassing 80 knockouts on the ledger, which can be viewed as nothing short of outstanding.
Entering the professional ranks in 2018, the 25 year old marvel accelerated his ascension up the ranks, and defeated well respected Champion ๐บ๐ธDanny Roman, to take both his WBA and IBF Titles, that Murodjon currently holds now.
Upon his achievement, Akhmadaliev tied the record for being the quickest in history to become a Unified Titlist in only his 8th professional fight – a feat previously accomplished by the late boxer ๐บ๐ธLeon Spinks (though Spinks achievement was more impressive considering he became Undisputed Champion from that bout, when there were only 2 alphabet belts to obtain).
With time obviously on his side, and taking note of his high skill level, it is interesting to follow his career in seeing what comes next for the Uzbek southpaw.
As for Iwasa, very few in the division works as hard as he does, and as a result of it, he found himself hoisting the red belt in 2017 after defeating fellow countryman ๐ฏ๐ตYukinori Oguni. He defended his title once, before he lost it to ๐ฎ๐ชTJ Doheny. Putting together a couple of solid victories over contending opposition, he now has his 3rd crack at a title, though it will come against the most skilled opponent that he will have eventually faced in his career.
The fight card can be viewed on Saturday, April 3rd, and the platform to view the bout on will be DAZN. This card is one of those that should be watched in its entirety, as it will give you a heavy glimpse of the talent that is brimming from the region these days.