A former unified titlist continues his quest for a second reign whereas a two-time Olympic medalist is about to renew her professional profession.
Murodjon ‘MJ’ Akhmadaliev and Beatriz ‘The Beast’ Ferreira will anchor Matchroom Boxing’s annual present in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Uzbekistan’s Akhmadaliev faces Mexico’s Ricardo Espinoza for the interim WBA junior featherweight title. Brazil’s Ferreira makes an attempt her first IBF light-weight title protection versus France’s Licia Boudersa.
Each bouts will air stay as a part of a four-fight DAZN present on Dec. 14 from Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo.
“I can’t wait to return to breathtaking Monte-Carlo for a powerful evening of World Championship boxing,” mentioned Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two thrilling World Title clashes, a European Title showdown between two hungry undefeated contenders and a giant Eire vs. England match-up.
“Monte-Carlo Showdown V has one thing for everybody!”
For Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 knockouts), that “one thing” is a comfort prize.
The 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist and former WBA/IBF 122-pound titleholder stays the WBA obligatory challenger Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs). His plea to have that standing enforced has fallen on deaf ears. Inoue will as an alternative defend his RING/undisputed 122-pound championship versus IBF No. 1 contender Sam Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) on Dec. 24 in Tokyo.
Fortuitously for Akhmadaliev, the WBA is now all the way in which again within the interim title enterprise. Such a belt might be on the road on this present’s primary occasion. The combat would be the first for Akhmadaliev in precisely 52 weeks. His final ring look was a sixth-round knockout over Kevin Gonzalez of their Dec. 16 WBA title eliminator in Phoenix, Arizona.
“I’m completely satisfied to be going again to work,” mentioned Akhmadaliev. “It appears to be like like that pound-for-pound star [Inoue] will not be prepared for large challenges. He can proceed operating away, however I’ll get what ought to be mine anyway.
“MJ is in enterprise once more and December might be sizzling!”
Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) is unbeaten in his final six begins since a Might 2021 defeat to Roman.
Within the co-feature, Ferreira (5-0, 2 KOs) returns as a professional for the primary time since her April 27 IBF title haul over Yanina del Carmen Lescano. The hope was for Ferriera to develop into the primary fighter to win a serious professional title and an Olympic Gold medal in the identical yr.
Ferreira settled for Bronze within the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was as soon as once more defeated by eventual Gold medalist Kellie Harrington to finish that dream. Ferreira claimed Olympic Silver after shedding to Harrington within the finals of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
With Paris and the novice scene behind her, Ferreira now strikes ahead along with her promising professional profession.
“I’m very excited to be again within the ring and making the primary defence of my World Title in Monte-Carlo,” mentioned Ferreira. “I’m very proud to have completed my Olympic journey as a two-time medallist. Any further my focus is 100% on the professionals.
“I’m enthusiastic about this subsequent part in my profession and dedicating myself absolutely to skilled boxing.”
Amazingly, Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs) fights for a acknowledged main title for the primary time in her nine-year professional profession.
That statistic is sort of exceptional on the ladies’s facet of boxing. Fighters like Ferreira have develop into the norm in racing to a title.
Boudersa has fought solely in France however makes a comparatively brief journey north to Monte Carlo for this event. The 32-year-old from Lille additionally fights for the fourth time in 2024.
“My opponent could be very skilled and has gained many titles previously,” acknowledged Ferreira. “So I’m trying ahead to the problem after which I hope to maneuver into massive unification fights and add extra World Titles in 2025.”
Additionally on the present:
Chev Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) meets unbeaten Frenchman Leonardo Mosquea (15-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant EBU European Cruiserweight Title.
Gary Cully (18-1, 10 KOs) faces light-weight gatekeeper Maxi Hughes (27-7-2, 6 KOs) in an intriguing Eire-England match-up scheduled for ten rounds.
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