Matchroom host a glitzy evening of boxing at Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo this Saturday, and in the bill-topper, Murodjon Akhmadaliev takes on Ricardo Espinoza, with the interim WBA super bantamweight title the prize on offer.
DAZN televise Akhmadaliev vs Espinoza live.
Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) was an amateur starlet, and the Uzbek took just eight fights to win a world title, taking the IBF belt in January 2020 with a split decision win against Daniel Roman in Miami.
Three dominant defences followed before Akhmadaliev came unstuck, upset on the cards by split decision against Marlon Tapales last April.
He returned to action last December, taking an eighth round stoppage win against the unbeaten Kevin Gonzalez.
Espinoza (30-4, 25 KOs) is a solid but unspectacular type, with the Mexican only near world level once before, knocked out in the final round against WBO interim bantamweight title-holder John Riel Casimero in April 2019.
After losing to common opponent Daniel Roman on points in 2021, Espinoza has won five straight bouts in his homeland, the last a second round knockout of Jovanny Soto Ramirez in August.
Prediction: Akhmadaliev will want to keep in the hunt for world titles, and he should be able to get past Espinoza , who is a limited operator. The pick is for Akhmadaliev to take the win via clear decision.
Clarke and Mosquea put undefeated records on the line
Big things are expected for Cheavon Clarke (10-0, KO7), and the current British cruiserweight champion attempts to add the vacant European strap against Frenchman Leonardo Mosquea (15-0, 9 KOs).
Former Team GB member Clarke has largely impressed to date, and won the British belt in May 2024, knocking Ellis Zorro out in eight rounds in Leeds. He was forced to battle on his US debut though in August, taking a majority nod against Efetobor Apochi over ten.
Mosquea comes in as the EBU Silver champion, and he won that crown by going twelve rounds for the first time, clearly outscoring Dylan Bregeon in June in France.
Prediction: Clarke will want to keep learning and improving, and this is another step in the right direction. Clarke should become the new champion via mid to late stoppage.
HUGE KO 🤯@C4Chev is the new British Cruiserweight Champion 🇬🇧👑 #ClarkeZorro #TaylorCatterall2 pic.twitter.com/Uzj1C8CCVa
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) May 25, 2024
Ferreira defends against Boudersa
Other world title action on the card comes from IBF lightweight champion Beatriz Ferreira (5-0, 2 KOs), and she defends against Licia Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs).
There has long been talk of the Brazilian facing Caroline Dubois, but for now, after winning the title with a technical decision win against Yanina del Carmen Lescano in April, she must settle for victory over France’s Boudersa.
Prediction: Boudersa hasn’t been anywhere near world class, and Ferreira can retain with a simple enough points victory.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 🇧🇷💣@BFerreira60kg back out on Dec 9 🎯#HaneyPrograis pic.twitter.com/pK1EOlPOJt
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) November 10, 2023
Make or break for Cully and Hughes
Gary Cully (18-1, 10 KOs) continues his rebuild after defeat to Jose Felix last May.
The Irishman has defeated Reece Mould and Francesco Patera since, and should add a win against Maxi Hughes (27-7-2, 6 KOs) to that run, with Hughes losing two of his last three starts, albeit to solid operators in George Kambosos Jr and William Zepeda.
Prediction: Cully can come through, and defend his WBA Continental lightweight title, clearly on the cards.
Teremoana makes Matchroom debut
Aussie heavyweight knockout artist Teremoana Jnr (4-0, KO4) should repeat the trick again in his scheduled six rounder against Ukraine’s Volodymyr Katsuk (5-1, KO2).
