Murodjon Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) stopped Mexico’s Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-5, 25 KOs) in three rounds to win the vacant interim WBA Super-Bantamweight World Title at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo in Larvotto, Monaco on Saturday night(DAZN).
After the win, Akhmadaliev called out Naoya Inoue.
“The only thing I want to say about Naoya Inoue is, ‘why are you ducking me?’” Akhmadaliev said.
“If he doesn’t want to fight me, then he just needs to explain, because when I was a champion, I followed the rules. He should follow the rules as well. I had mandatories and I was fighting them without any discussions.”
France’s Leonardo Mosquea (16-0, 9 KOs) outpointed England’s Cheavon Clarke (10-1, 7 KOs) over 12 gruelling rounds in a battle of undefeated Cruiserweights to earn the vacant EBU European Title – dropping ‘C4’ in the opening round on route to inflicting a first career defeat on his opponent.
“For me this win represents so much,” said Mosquea. “It represents all of the work we have been putting in over the years, step by step, getting the French Championship, the European Silver belt and now the EBU European Title. This is all part of the journey, and it isn’t finished yet. We’ve still got a long way to go. We’re going to get to the very top.”
Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira (6-0, 2 KOs) successfully defended her IBF Lightweight World Title for the first time against France’s Licia Boudersa (23-3-2, 4 KOs) – dominating the former European Champion over ten rounds to move to 6-0 (2 KO’s) with scores of 100-90 (x3).
“My aim is to win more belts,” Ferreira said. “I’m here in this division and I’m looking for the belts. All of the other women in this division get prepared because I’m here and I’m after you, I’m coming for your belts! I love challenges. I’m ready for everyone.”
Rossington’s Maxi Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs) ripped the WBA Continental Lightweight Title from Ireland’s Gary Cully (18-2, 10 KOs) with a superb ten-round shutout points win – badly cutting his opponent above the left eye.
“I’m so proud of everybody for coming out and making that noise,” said Hughes. “They’ve followed me to Oklahoma, Las Vegas, Sheffield and now we’re a week away from Christmas and they’re in the most expensive place in the world. Love to you all and I’m glad I go this win for you. As much as it’s for me, it’s for you lot as well. I think my little girl who is 6 now, I think her Nan let her stay up for this. So hopefully I haven’t bored her. But that one is for my little girl watching at home.”
Australian Heavyweight hope Teremoana Teremoana started life as a Matchroom fighter with a bang as he wiped out Ukraine’s Volodymyr Katsuk (5-2, 2 KOs) inside the opening round to progress to 5-0 with 5 knockouts.
“First of all I want to give all glory to my lord and saviour Jesus Christ,” said Teremoana Jr. “I’m a little bit disappointed with that performance. I wanted to be a bit more clean, but I think my emotions took over me. This fight tonight is dedicated to my uncle. He always wanted me to take out everyone in the first round. This one was a little bit emotional for him, but after this I’m going to take over and show a bit more of my boxing skills…
“What I bring to this Heavyweight division is I bring the whole Pacific Island with me. I stand here on behalf of Australia, on behalf of the Cook Islands – I’m just representing who I am. I’m just here and I’m going to enjoy my whole journey and my time. All the way up until the top where I become Heavyweight Champion of the World.”
Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
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