In a WBC lightweight eliminator, Zaur Abdullaev (15-1, 9 KOs) scored a twelfth round TKO over former three-division world champion Jorge Linares (47-7, 29 KOs) on Saturday night at the RCC Boxing Academy in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Linares was ahead midway, but Abdullaev slowly got the upper hand as the 36-year-old Linares faded. Abdullaev finally finished Linares in the final stanza dropping him twice and getting a referee’s stoppage. With the win, Abdullaev becomes WBC mandatory to Devin Haney.
In a WBA super featherweight eliminator, Angel Rodriguez (20-1, 10 KOs) won a twelve round split decision over Mark “Canelo” Urvanov (20-3-1, 10 KOs). It was a technical fight from start to finish with both boxing carefully. Scores were 116-112, 115-113 Rodriguez, 116-112 Urvanov.
Unbeaten super lightweight Ivan Kozlovsky (5-0, 2 KOs) outpointed Zoravor Petrosian (12-2, 5 KOs) over ten in a bout for the WBC Asian Boxing Council belt.
Rodriguez got a gift in Russia? How’d that happen? Commentating on ESPN+ was poor at best.
Thank you to ESPN+ for not showing us the 12th rd. What exactly am I paying for?
Linares has always been a smaller version of Terry Norris to me. Offensively, one of the most gifted fighters I’ve ever seen, but absolutely cursed with a weak chin. Like Norris though, a tremendous fighter who might end up in the HOF.
Linares fights nothing like terrible Terry and Linares unlike Norris is just seeing his age and a rise in weight take over i mean hes lost 4 of his last 7 fights, Norris was 12-0 when he suffered his 1st lost compared to Linares who was 27-0 and just to add Linares has been stopped 6 out of 7 losses the one that went the distance with him must not punch hard whatsoever lol
Defintely both guys with power who were prone to getting knocked out. Remove the dq losses from Norris’s record and your had a guy who was knocked out in defeat more than he was decisioned.
Norris beat among others Meldrick, Leonard, Mugabi, whome he thrashed. He is far far better than Linares dreamed of being. Norris was mean and could box and bang both hands. Beautiful cross and hook . Linares is good, but Terry Norris is a great fighter.
I think “far far better than Linares dreamed of being” is too much. Norris beat Leonard at the end of his career, Meldrick Taylor was a blown up welterweight (maybe even a blown up junior welterweight) and I’m sorry, I know so many people liked him for some reason, but John Mugabi may just be one of the most overrated fighters of all time. If you want to say Norris was better, fine; but he was not ‘leaps and bounds’ better than Jorge Linares imo.
End of the road for Linares! I would hate for him to become a gate keeper and rack up losses along the way. Not to mention getting permanently hurt! Don’t know his financial situation (nor should I), but my man should retire while he’s far ahead
Isn’t today Saturday?
Ref did a great job not stopping it right away, but Linares needs to start thinking retirement. Good fight tho.
Linares has always been game to be at his best in fights. Linares is workhorse and when it comes to using the one-two combos. However, his age caught up with him in this fight. Abdullaev is not a great fighter, but always pressures his fighters and wears them down making the fight go in his direction. Linares’ jab was great in this fight, but the jab alone does not really produce wins especially when your opponent can sneak past the jab to land right crosses. Abdullaev needs to practice on his angles better rather than being stationery so much in front a fighter. Haney will be able to move at angles and catch Abdullaev easier if he stays more stationery.
I’m so glad the WBC is elevating contenders with a good chance to beat the champion……. Oh wait, Haney destroyed this guy and made him quit after 4 rounds like 2 years ago.
Why was this guy in a title eliminator? Or Linares considering he’s been knocked out and beaten by guys like Pablo Cano in recent years?
We Be Crooks!!!!
Linares had Haney in dire straights.
Let him off easy.
Then commended him after the fight. For what champ?
Linares has now officially been beaten by everyone who matters and then some. Retire and be admired.
Like Khan, Linares did have a great career and both deserves to be inducted into the hall of fame.
It’s time for both to hang up the gloves and enjoy their families and retirement.
Thanks guy’s..