Fanlong Meng (14-0, 9 KOs), of Inner Mongolia, China earned the IBF Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title in his return the ring Saturday night, toppling England’s Frank Buglioni (22-4-1, 16 KOs) via a fifth-round TKO at the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin in Monaco.

The bout was featured as the opening televised fight on an event that was promoted by Matchroom and aired globally on DAZN. The fight was action packed but ultimately saw bad cuts and punishment to Buglioni which caused the referee to end the match via TKO in the fifth-round. 

With his victory over Buglioni, Meng is now the Light heavyweight IBF intercontinental Champion and WBO Oriental Champion and has propelled himself to the top of the light heavyweight ranks.

“Fanlong has now established himself as a top light heavyweight championship contender and true force of the future in one of boxing’s most talented and high-profile weight divisions,” said Roc Nation Sports boxing promoter Dino Duva.  “He’s getting better and better with every fight. Our plan is to have him fight regularly and take it one step and opponent at a time to strategically prepare him to compete for the world light heavyweight championship, before the end of 2019.”

His next bout will be announced soon, and will occur in the beginning of 2019.

IN OTHER NEWS:  Unbeaten super-welterweight talent Kieran Smith is forecasting a raucous atmosphere when he bids for a WBC world ranking title in Glasgow on Friday.
 
‘Chopper’ (12-0-KO6) faces familiar foe Evaldas Korsakas on a stacked card at Emirates Arena that also includes Ukashir Farooq vs. Iain Butcher in an all-Scottish British bantamweight title clash, Tyrone McKenna vs. Lewis Benson and much, much more.
 
As he prepares to announce himself on the world scene, Smith is enthusiastic over the prospect of the BoxNation cameras and a noisy crowd.
 
Smith said: “I’ve sold plenty of tickets for this fight. There’s been a great response with people wanting to watch me fight for a title. It’ll be rocking when I’m in there.
 
“I’ve heard tickets have flown and this arena is going to be really rocking on the night. It’ll be a massive buzz for all the fighters when they get up there.
 
“I really think this will be a turning point for Scottish boxing events.
 
“I’m fully focused on my own fight, first and foremost, obviously but I do hope to see Butcher challenging Farooq afterwards.
 
“I’d say Korsakas is actually a more difficult opponent for me that my original opponent because he punches hard and has youth on his side.
 
“Koraskas currently has a higher world ranking than me as he’s had several good wins lately so it makes sense for us to fight again.”