A WELCOME FROM
FRANK SMITH
T
his is a huge moment for boxing in Uzbekistan and for Matchroom as we continue our global expansion. For many years Uzbekistan fighters have been powerhouses of the amateur scene, and more recently they have emerged with significant presence in the professional code but have had to rely on opportunities in major boxing markets, particularly the US. Now, as superstars in their own country, they get the opportunity to fight in front
of their own people in what will be a historic night. “This is an extremely important event for boxing in Uzbekistan,” said Andrey Ryabinskiy, Head of World of Boxing. “I think that it is a great opportunity for the fighters to start 2021 with impressive wins right in front of the eyes of their compatriots, as well as to show their skills to boxing fans worldwide. These guys are progressing at a fast pace, and I think they will become huge stars in the future.” ■
Programme Editor: Daniel Barnard Fighter Interviews: Jamie Ward and Anthony Leaver Design: Hashtag Digital Media (hdmdigitalsales@gmail.com) Cover: Adam Insam Photographs: Matchroom Boxing
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THE
HOMECOMING
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urodjon Akhmadaliev says he will target his fellow champions if he can successfully defend his WBA Super and IBF World SuperBantamweight titles against Ryosuke Iwasa at the Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, live worldwide on DAZN on Saturday (7am PT/10am ET/3pm BST/7pm local). Akhmadaliev (8-0 6 KOs) became unified champion in just his seventh pro outing when he took the belts from Daniel Roman in Miami in January 2020. The COVID pandemic robbed ‘MJ’ of the
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chance to capitalize on that success but while he was unable to defend the belts in the States, he gets the chance to fight on home soil for the first time as a pro, on a bill stacked with Uzbek talent. The 26-year-old headlines the card alongside teammates and friends Israil Madrimov and Shakhram Giyasov, and Uzbekistan’s first unified World Champion is excited to be able to bring such a huge night of action to his homeland, against a dangerous opponent in the in-form Iwasa (27-3 17 KOs) who bounced back from a World
AKHMADALIEV VS IWASA
“I LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THE ATTENTION OF THE BOXING WORLD TO UZBEKISTAN” title defeat to TJ Doheny with two wins. “When you fight at home, defending what belongs to you, that’s probably the most important fight,” said Akhmadaliev. “To give a good fight under the bright lights, that’s what I’m looking forward to. It’s a dream for any fighter to perform at home. “Israil, Shakhram and I have been together for 15 years. We worked for World amateur rankings and becoming Asian Champions, World Champions, Olympians. “We’ve been together through everything. Now being professional and have the chance to fight in a huge event at home, already being the champion is huge. “Ryosuke Iwasa is a warrior, he’s been in the ring with the very best. I rate him very highly and believe he is a very dangerous fighter. “I have studied him and am ready for him as always. My team have done the work and I will do the work in the ring. I’m not going to give up anything to anybody.
“He is trying to get what is mine, but that’s not going to happen. Boxing is not always easy, just like life. It’s pretty much always hard, you have to have tough fights in the ring and in life. “You have to endure tough times and that’s how it’s been in my life. I’m prepared for any challenge because of that. I am only focused on Iwasa, but as a champion my dream is to win every belt. “If everything goes well tonight, I will not avoid anybody, I want all the belts. I’m blessed to be a World Champion, now defending my belts at home is the next goal for me. “I’m looking forward to showcasing myself which is important to my countrymen, family and friends. I look forward to bringing the attention of the boxing world to Uzbekistan.” ■
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RYOSUKE
IWASA
J
apan’s Ryosuke Iwasa lands on away territory in Tashkent, Uzebekistan this evening looking to spoil Murodjon Akhmadaliev’s homecoming party and become unified World Champion at 122lbs, a victory which would see him recapture the IBF strap as well as taking the WBA crown home to Kashiwa. 31-year old Iwasa (27-3, 17 KOs) stopped Marlon Tapales in eleven rounds last time out in Brooklyn back in December 2019 to earn the Interim IBF World Title at Super-Bantamweight, a win which solidified his shot at ruler Akhmadaliev and a chance to once again hold the full Title having captured it with a sixth round stoppage of Yukinori Oguni in his homeland back in September 2017. The southpaw defended his Title against Ernesto Saulong in March 2018 before controversially losing it to Ireland’s TJ Doheny at the famous Korakuen Hall in Tokyo five months later. Undeterred
from his third career loss, Iwasa bounced back with two impressive wins in 2019 and despite not boxing under the bright lights for over 15 months, is determined to be crowned a two-time World Champion. “I have a special feeling. It will be the biggest match in my boxing life so far” said Iwasa. “I can’t let him get into his rhythm! “I am very determined to return home with the two championship belts by winning this fight tonight.” ■
“I CAN’T LET HIM GET INTO HIS RHYTHM!”
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MAIN
HEADING
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ody copy ■
WONDERBOY
U
zbek Super-Lightweight sensation Shakhram Giyasov says it is a dream come true to bring big time boxing to his home country tonight as he collides with Patricio Lopez Moreno as part of a huge night of World Title action in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. ‘Wonderboy’ rose to prominence in the amateur ranks when he captured Olympic Silver in 2016, adding to his Gold at the World and Asian Championships. After signing a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn in April 2019, Giyasov has
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put his devastating power to work with many eye-catching victories. Most notably in Mexico as he dispatched former World Champion Darleys Perez in the opening three minutes. Boxing tonight for the first time as a professional in his homeland, The Uzbek superstar is ready to shine as he continues his pursuit for 140lb supremacy. "I’m very excited to fight in my home country. It’s a huge event for Uzbekistan,” said Giyasov.
AKHMADALIEV VS IWASA
“IT’S A HUGE EVENT FOR UZBEKISTAN”
"It’s the first time such a big boxing event is happening there. Murodjon Akhmadaliev is a champion and will defend his belts, myself and Israil Madrimov are obviously going to fight there. It’s going to be huge on DAZN with the whole world watching. "Boxing is huge in our country and is probably the number one sport here. It’s going to turn a lot of attention to Uzbekistan and we’re very grateful for that. “We’re more than 100% ready to
perform for the people of the country. We didn’t expect it to happen so soon but fighting in Uzbekistan is a dream for me. “The people here know and support myself, Akhmadaliev and Madrimov amazingly. We want to bring a show to the people and bring them what they want which is fighting back home. “My dream is to become undisputed champion at 140lbs. There is nothing I want more than that. My team tell me that I would be ready for a championship fight tomorrow. “If I get the opportunity to fight for a World Title, I will be ready. I just can’t wait to get in the ring, the emotions are overwhelming me!" ■
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THE
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ising Super-Welterweight star Israil Madrimov (6-0, 5 KOs) has made an electric start to life in the paid ranks, leaving his decorated amateur career behind and winning a Title in his first pro outing in November 2018 to signal his intentions. ‘The Dream’ defeated Eric Walker in a final eliminator for the WBA World Title in the streets of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma last August to stay on track to beat his ‘brother’ Akhmadaliev’s record of unifying his division before eight fights. This time he faces the Democratic Republic of The Congo’s Emmany Kalombo (14-0, 14 KOs), who has won all fourteen of his professional contests inside the distance since turning professional in Kempton Park, South Africa in August 2015. “MJ made history and we’re happy for him as our friend, brother and teammate, it’s unbelievable what he achieved, unified champion in eight fights — but I still have time to beat him!” said Madrimov. “Right now, the focus is Kalombo on Saturday, I’m not looking past that. As soon as business is taken care of, we move on and we want to fight the champion. Every fight for me is very important. “I started off with a Title fight on my debut, and my last fight was an eliminator, so they are all important and they keep getting bigger.
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“THIS IS AN HONOUR TO FIGHT IN FRONT OF MY PEOPLE” I don’t call people out, I just want to be in a position to fight for titles. I want to build my own legacy and history by becoming world champion and I want to break records. “Boxing in Uzbekistan is the number one sport and this is an honour to fight in front of my people. There have been talks about doing an event here for some time but Eddie Hearn and Matchroom have delivered for us.” ■
AKHMADALIEV VS IWASA
12 X 3 MINS WBA & IBF SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLES
MURODJON RYOSUKE vs AKHMADALIEV IWASA
(UZBEKISTAN)
(JAPAN)
10 X 3 MINS WBA INTERNATIONAL SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
SHAKHRAM PATRICIO vs LOPEZ MORENO GIYASOV
(UZBEKISTAN)
(MEXICO)
10 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST
ISRAIL EMMANY vs MADRIMOV KALOMBO
(UZBEKISTAN)
(DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO)
6 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CONTEST
BAKHODIR KRISTAPS vs JALOLOV ZUTIS
(UZBEKISTAN)
(LATVIA)
10 X 3 MINS WBA INTERNATIONAL LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT TITLE
HASANBOY MUHSIN vs DUSMATOV KIZOTA
(UZBEKISTAN)
(TANZANIA)
6 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT CONTEST
MIRAZIZBEK MIRZAKHALILOV vs
(UZBEKISTAN)
TASHA MJUAJI (TANZANIA)
6 X 3 MINS CRUISERWEIGHT CONTEST
SANJAR IVAN vs TURSUNOV YUKHTA
(UZBEKISTAN)
(UKRAINE)
6 X 3 MINS INTERNATIONAL SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT CONTEST
IKBOLJON KULWA vs KHOLDAROV BUSHIRI
(UZBEKISTAN)
(TANZANIA)