WBA #6 rated super lightweight and 2016 Olympic gold medalist Shakhram “Wonderboy” Giyasov (11-0, 9 KOs) scored a spectacular third round KO over Patricio Lopez Moreno (28-5, 20 KOs) in the Akhmadaliev-Iwasa co-feature on Saturday night at the Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Giyasov dropped Moreno at the end of round two and finished him in round three. Moreno counted out at 2:21. Giyasov also retained his WBA international belt.
In an attractive clash of unbeaten super welterweights, WBA #1 rated Israil Madrimov (7-0, 5 KOs) won a ten round unanimous decision over Emmany Kalombo (14-1, 14 KOs). Both fighters were wary of the other’s power early on. Madrimov pressed the action and dropped Kalombo at the end of round eight. Madrimov landed more big shots in round nine. The iron-jawed Kalombo made it to the end. Scores were 100-89, 99-90, 98-92. Madrimov already won a WBA final eliminator last August, so he was risking his world title shot against the unbeaten Kalombo.
Pro debuting super bantamweight Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov needed just 2:24 to annihilate Tasha Mjuaji (17-8-2, 5 KOs) in the first round. Mjuaji down twice. Mirzakhalilov is a former amateur world champion.
Undefeated 6’7 heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov (8-0, 7 KOs) destroyed Kristaps Zutis (7-2-2, 7 KOs) in two. Zutis down twice in round two. Time was 1:16.
Light flyweight prospect and 2016 Olympic gold medalist Hasanboy Dusmatov (3-0, 3 KOs) stopped Mushin Kizota (11-3, 5 KOs) in round two for the vacant WBA International title. Dusmatov dropped Kizota once in round one, twice in round two. Time was 2:02.
Jalalov is 8-0 as a professional and is probably going to win a gold medal in the Olympics this year…. actually a couple of guys on this card are still active amateurs as well.
Credit to Madrimov for taking on a fighter who was 14-0 14 KOs going in, even though he already had a title shot locked in. Just saw the highlights for this. Madrimov took a few big shots, was bloodied, but outhustled Kalombo. Was wondering if Kalombo had an inflated record, but he looks to be a pretty good fighter who may be able to make some waves down the road.
Just a side note, but it seems the vast majority of fighters out of Africa (with the exception of maybe South Africa) seem to have unrefined styles. There seems to be a lack of fluidity most of the time, or something else that just isn’t there. Not sure what the amateur programs look like over there, but the skill set always seems pretty basic. Anybody else seeing this?
I think it depends on the countries. Like you said South Africa would be an exception and I’d also add Ghana and Namibia, imo. Though, even in those cases, I would agree that there is a “lack of fluidity”, even when you have excellent fighters, like Richard Commey and Ike Quartey, they can be somewhat mechanical, though clearly well schooled.
Yes, Ghana has had it’s share of good fighters over the years. Namibia….I can only think of Harry Simon & Julius Indongo off the top of my head. Any African boxers with long, storied amateur careers? Other than Indongo, who I believe medaled in the Olympics, I can’t think of any. Maybe a lot of these guys are turning pro without developing their skills in the amateurs? Whatever the case, I agree that many do seem mechanical for whatever reason…
Correction, Indongo lost in the first round of the Olympics…
From Namibia I was definitely thinking of Harry Simon (his son, Harry Simon Jr., is fighting now and is 13-0 as a superlight weight). There was Indongo, like you mentioned and Paulus Moses and Paulus Ambunda as well.
Googling African Olympic boxing medalists and I run into names like David Izon and Duncan Dokiwari who won bronze, as did John Mugabi, but they seem to be the most recent ones who did anything as professionals and that was quite awhile ago. I’m kind of shocked that there aren’t more South Africans on this list, the most recent being 1968, given how often they’ve turned out very good fighters.
Maybe. I’m still waiting to see an african wave like the one you see from Uzbekistan right now and the ones you’ve seen from Kazakstan and Ukraine lately. Or it might be so simple that those nations once belonged to Sovietunion with its resources and knowledge and therefor had something to build on?
I think South Africa stands out among the african nations when you talk about numbers and potentially top fighters, but you also see many good boxers from Namibia, Ghana, Nigeria, Congo and some other nations. Strangely, for some reason, not many african boxers become dominant top fighters, there are a few exceptions of course.
Is it a question about resources, knowledge, traditions, trainers, promoters, sparring or something else, or a combination of many things?
Bakhodir Jalolov. 6’7″ Southpaw Heavyweight who looks technically sound, pretty good power it appears, not blazingly fast, but decent speed for a guy that size. I doubt that any Heavyweights we’ve heard of are going to be in a rush to fight this guy. Lots of talent coming out of Uzbekistan these days…
What do you think about Madrimov? He has potential but right now I don’t see him as a future star. I think he was exposed against Walker and in this fight against slower Kalombo he was also targeted and hit too often.
Jalolov is not much talked about but I will follow his development with interest. I am also very curious about Melikuziev. There are others from Uzbekistan to follow too.
Madrimov was exposed a bit against Walker, but would have had a KO victory that night had the ref done that right thing there and called that a punch when Walker went down. He has plenty of talent, and the two fights you mentioned provided valuable experience, but I’m not sold he’s a future star either. He’s only had seven fights, so still a little early to tell.
The experience was certainly worth more to Madrimov than a KO win. Do you remember Rakhim Chakhkiev? I’m a little afraid that Madrimov will face the same fate as him. It is when the quality of the fights gets better when the thumbscrews are tightened around you. After seven fights I would say he needs more of the same level to improve, probably even new input during training. He’s fun to watch and seems to be a guy you like. Be careful out there 🙂
I do remember Chakhkiev. Had really high expectations for that guy. Thought he would be at the top of the Cruiserweight division for quite some time. His first loss to Wlodarcyzk came as a surprise, to me anyway. Afolabi knocked him out also. IIRC, he had stamina issues as well….