Former IBF and WBA super bantam world champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) stopped Ricardo Espinoza (30-5, 25 KOs) in the third round, scoring three knockdowns, for the WBA interim title over 122 pounds up for grabs Saturday night at Le Casino in the Salle des Etoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco.
(Source: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
In the main event, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Akhmadaliev knocked out Espinoza in the third round of a 12-round contest to capture the WBA interim belt. The time of the stoppage was at 2:59 of the third period.
In the first round, coming back after a year, Akhmadaliev had an easy edge landing from the southpaw side, several solid lefties, to the chin of Espinoza. Both had landed solid shots in a close round in the second round. In the third round, halfway through the point, Akhmadaliev landed a lead left to the chin, scoring an 8-count knockdown from referee Jean Robert Laine.
With a minute left, Akhmadaliev landed a left-hander, and as he retreated, Espinoza fell forward to the canvas for a second knockdown and another 8 count. In the final seconds, a left-footed shot from Akhmadaliev dropped Espinoza for the third time, and referee Laine waved it off.
2020 Olympic southpaw Cheavon “C4” Clarke (10-1, 7 KOs) lost a 12-round split decision to EBU Silver Champion Leonardo “The King” Mosquea (16-0, 9 KOs) in the fight for the vacant EBU cruiserweight title. ). Mosquea dropped the 34-year-old Clarke in round one.
Forty seconds into the first round, Mosquea landed a dozen unanswered punches and dropped Clarke for an eight count by referee Jon Lona Fernandez. In the second and third rounds, Clarke came back well and won two close rounds in a slugfest. In the fourth round, Mosquea came back well and won the round.
The sixth through ninth rounds were back and forth, with bombs landing from both fighters. In the tenth round, Clarke had his best round. This 12 round contest should be a 10.
In the eleventh round, Clarke had the edge with a powerful punch as Mosquea tired. In the twelfth and final round, Clarke got the better of Mosquea in a close and good fight between the two undefeated fighters.
The scores were 117-113 for Clarke, 116-112 and 115-112 for Mosquera.
WBA No. 5 lightweight contender Gary Cully (18-2, 10 KOs) lost to former IBO lightweight world champion, southpaw Maxi Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs), by a 10-round unanimous decision. Cully suffered a cut to his right eye in the fifth round and had to deal with the bleeding in the second half.
In the first three rounds there was only action with both southpaws. The taller Cully uses his reach and mostly lands his jab while Hughes comes in and has an edge with both hands. Cully goes for the body in the fourth round and Hughes counters him.
In the fifth round it was Hughes with overhand lefts to the chin who rocked Cully several times. Half a minute into the sixth round, Cully suffered a nasty cut on his right eyebrow. By the end of the round, his face was a mask of blood. The referee informed Cully that another round of this kind could be called off.
In the seventh round, Hughes had two minutes to reopen the cut. In the eighth round, Hughes knocked out Cully’s mouthpiece after half a round. On the ninth lap, Hughes passed Culy two to one.
In the tenth and final round, Hughes may have pitched a shutout. To his credit, Cully went the distance with a poor cut for five laps.
The referee was Mikeal Hook. Values 100-90, 100-90 and 100-90.
Beatriz “The Beast” Ferreira (6-0 (2 KOs)), IBF lightweight world champion, two-time Olympian and 2024 Olympic silver medalist, beat former EBU champion Licia Boudersa (23-3-2, 4 KOs) over 10x with a shutout 2 rounds.
In the first round, referee Diana Drews warned Milani Boudersa twice for holding and using her head, but Ferreira easily won the round. Ferreira used a good right uppercut from the second to the seventh round, winning each round and drawing blood from the nose in the sixth round.
In the eighth round, referee Milani warned Ferreira for his counterattack. Frustrated, Ferreira landed a strong body attack and needed another round. Ferreira cornered Boudersa in the ninth round as Boudersa’s corner was ready to throw in the towel. Ferreira dominated in the tenth and final round, turning southpaw and striking hard.
The results were 100-90, 100-90 and 100-90.
Powerful 2024 Olympian Tevero Terremoana Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs) stopped Volodymyr Katsuk (5-2, 2 KOs) at 2:04 of the first round of a scheduled six rounds.
In the first round, a combination from Terremoana on the chin dropped Katsuk for an 8 count by referee Jean Robert Laine a minute into the round. Shortly afterwards he fell a second time. After a third knockdown, referee Laine stopped all players in the first round.
The ring announcer was David Diamante.
