Ismail Madrimov dazzled and caught the eye with a convincing victory to snare the vacant WBA super welterweight title.

 

The Uzbek became a world champion in just his 11th pro fight, controlling and then dominating Magomed Kurbanov on his way to a stoppage win after 2:29 of round five.

 

“It’s a great feeling, I’ve waited a long time for this moment,” said Madrimov, who now has his sights on unifying. “I wanted this title, now I am here and this belt is mine and coming to Uzbekistan.

 

“It’s my first title and I need four belts.”

 

The pace was steady, with neither able to light the touch paper but with Madrimov quickly establishing some supremacy.

 

Kurbanov, his left low, flicked out jabs while Madrimov tried to time him with occasional heavy swings, and he did find a gap for a left hook in the second.

 

Kurbanov looked more one-dimensional and one-paced, and the classy Madrimov worked in and out and up and down, while managing the distance, picking his spots, and wasting precious little.

 

In the fifth Madrimov committed to a long right hand and it landed flush in the Russian’s face. For a moment Madrimov followed in but he patiently kept stalking, working away and landing selected shots, and as the round went by, Madrimov started to up the pace.

 

Kurbanov then stopped throwing much back, perhaps dazed by one or two of the heavy shots that had already landed, and Madrimov moved in behind both hands.

 

The Russian backed off, and Madrimov started to find more gaps in Kurbanov’s defense – including a terrific right over the top – and with the Uzbek pouring it on the referee Steve Gray quickly decided he had seen enough. Gray embraced Kurbanov on the ropes; Madrimov wheeled off and celebrated with a handspring into a round-off.

 

“This guy’s an animal,” said a delighted Eddie Hearn, who co-promotes Madrimov, now 10-0-1 (6 KOs). “This guy’s the new Gennadiy Golovkin, he walked through Kurbanov with ease.

 

“Remember the name, Uzbek power, Ismail “The Dream” Madrimov is coming for all the belts in the 154-pound division.”

 

Kurbanov is now 25-1 (13 KOs).