Akhmadaliev: I will not avoid anybody, I want all the belts
The Uzbek titleholder wants to further unify at 122.
Murodjon Akhmadaliev is set to defend the WBA and IBF junior featherweight titles tomorrow in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as Matchroom open up a new market with a lot of the emerging top fighters from the country in action.
Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6 KO) says he doesn’t want to stop with just the two belts, he’s looking for full unification at 122 if he gets past former titlist Iwasa (27-3, 17 KO).
“If everything goes well tomorrow night, 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,” he said. “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.”
The other titlists in the division are Stephen Fulton Jr, who has the WBO belt and is with PBC, and Luis Nercy, the WBC titleholder, also with PBC. Neither fight is easy to make on paper, but any fight can happen if those involved push hard enough to make things happen.
How to Watch Akhmadaliev vs Iwasa
Date: Saturday, April 3 | Start Time: 10:00 am ET
Location: Humo Arena - Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Streaming: DAZN
Online Coverage: BadLeftHook.com
As for the 31-year-old Iwasa, he presents Akhmadaliev, 26, with a southpaw vs southpaw matchup, and is also an experienced fighter and still a strong contender. He’s got Akhmadaliev’s respect.
“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,” Akhmadaliev said. “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.”