Murodjon Akhmadaliev took the interim WBA super bantamweight title with a third round knockout win against Ricardo Espinoza Franco at Salle Des Étoiles in Monte Carlo on Saturday.
Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) lost his WBA ‘super’ and IBF titles to Marlon Tapales last April, and returned to action last December, taking an eighth round stoppage win against the unbeaten Kevin Gonzalez. Espinoza Franco (30-5, 25 KOs) had won five straight bouts since a 2021 loss to Daniel Roman, the last a second round knockout of Jovanny Soto Ramirez in August.
A straight left hand in the third caused most of the damage, as it drove the Mexican backwards and to the deck.
The fight continued, and the end was swift, as another ramrod left hand from Akhmadaliev scrambled the senses of the 27-year-old, and despite once again getting up another left hand moments later had him down again and the referee waved off the contest.
The Uzbek called for a showdown with undisputed super bantamweight champion, Naoya Inoue.
“I’m ready,” Akhmadaliev told DAZN.
“Let’s go, Naoya.
“The best should be fighting the best.
“I’m the mandatory. I’m the interim champion.
“He should prove that he’s the best in his division.
“He’s a legend, he should prove it as well.”
Clarke suffers shock defeat
In an absorbing chief support, Cheavon Clarke suffered a first professional defeat, as Leonardo Mosquea took the vacant European cruiserweight title with a split decision win.
A volley of spiteful punches had Clarke (10-1, 7 KOs) all at sea in the very first round, and he had to take refuge on the canvas in a slow start.
Mosquea (16-0, 9 KOs) kept the pressure on, continuing to trouble Clarke, but the Londoner regrouped, and began to get into the contest.
One judge had it 117-113 for Clarke, overruled by scores of 116-112 and 115-112 for the Frenchman, who became the new champion.
Hughes dominates Cully
Maxi Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs) continued his Cinderella story, as he took the WBA Continental lightweight title with a superb points win against Gary Cully (18-2, 10 KOs).
Hughes’ relentless work caused a nasty cut above Cully’s eye and the 34-year-old eventually ran out a winner with a shutout 100-90 scoreline for all three judges.
Remaining Undercard
IBF lightweight champion, Beatriz Ferreira (6-0, 2 KOs) was equally as dominant in the first defence of her belt against Licia Boudersa (23-3-2, 4 KOs), as she won all ten rounds on all three scorecards.
Highly-touted heavyweight knockout artist, Teremoana Jnr (5-0, 5 KOs) kept his streak going, needing less than a round to stop Ukraine’s Volodymyr Katsuk (5-2, 2 KOs).
FIRST ROUND FINISH for @teremoana98 😤#AkhmadalievEspinoza | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/jft5T2Yocf
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 14, 2024
