Bektemir Melikuziev: record, next fight and profile →
By keith Idec - Andre Ward said that it “sounded like a gunshot” when Efe Ajagba blasted Brian Howard with a thudding right hand that knocked Howard cold April 10 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan - WBA #7 / IBF #11 light welterweight Shakhram Giyasov (12-0, 9 KOs) displayed his talent despite tough resistance of always game Argentinean Christian Rafael Coria (29-9-2, 13 KOs) to score a unanimous decision.
Uzbekistan is just hours away from its second huge boxing event of 2021. Matchroom Boxing will unify its efforts with Russia's big promoter World of Boxing to showcase Uzbekistan’s brightest talent within one event, which is about to take place at the Renaissance Hall in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital.
Israil Madrimov can take a step closer to achieving his World Title dream when he faces Michel Soro in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight crown on another huge night for Uzbekistan boxing at the Renaissance Hall in Tashkent on Friday December 17, with all of the action shown live worldwide on DAZN.
Gabriel Rosado pulled off a stunning upset with his one-punch knockout of Bektemir Melikuziev this past June. Among those who were surprised by the outcome was Jaime Munguia, who headlined the June 19 DAZN show from Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas and was rooting for the very outcome that came of the evening’s chief support. The development paved the way for the unbeaten former junior middleweight option to ultimately land his next opponent, a path that was previously discussed though admittedly not expected.
Jaime Munguia (37-0, 30 KOs) successfully defended his WBO Intercontinental middleweight championship with a technical knockout victory against late-replacement Kamil Szeremeta (21-2, 5 KOs) at The University of Texas at El Paso’s Don Haskins Center and live on DAZN. After receiving several rounds of punishment, Szeremeta’s corner called a stop to the fight after the sixth round.
Rosado, Melikuziev Fight Photos Gallery - In the co-main event, “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-13-1, 14 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania scored a one-punch knockout victory against Uzbek standout Bektemir Melikuziev (7-1, 6 KOs). After suffering a knockdown, Rosado landed a fight-finishing right hand at 1:21 of the third round.
Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas - In a super middleweight contest, Gabriel Rosado (26-13-1, 15 KOs) scored a dramatic one-punch knockout of previously undefeated Bektemir Melikuziev (7-1, 6 KOs) in the third round.
A far more prominent plan was in place for Bektemir Melikuziev when the year began. Hopes of a breakthrough performance were dashed when former three-time light heavyweight titlist Sergey Kovalev tested positive for a banned substance ahead of their eventually canceled January 30 crossroads bout at Fantasy Springs Casino in his adopted hometown of Indio, California. The unbeaten Uzbekistani southpaw—who won a Silver medal during the 2016 Rio Olympics—has instead seen his post-pandemic activity limited to a pair of stay-busy knockout wins.
Munguia, Szeremeta Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - Jaime Munguia (36-0, 29 KOs) and Kamil Szeremeta (21-1, 5 KOs) hosted their final press conference today ahead of their 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Championship. (photos by Sye Williams)