Photos: Bektemir Melikuziev drops Darius Fulghum en route to decision win

Bektemir “Bek” Melikuziev walked away with the win on Might 30, when he confronted Darius Fulghum at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas. Battling it out in the primary occasion, the pair squared off in a WBA tremendous middleweight title eliminator.

The scheduled 12-round bout went the total distance and produced fireworks. Melikuziev (16-1, 10 KOs) defeated Fulghum (14-1, 12 KOs) by unanimous resolution with all three judges scoring the battle 114-112.

On his solution to victory, once-beaten contender from Uzbekistan Melikuziev suffered a lower close to his left eye from a punch within the fourth spherical, was deducted a degree for holding within the seventh, and dropped Fulghum of El Paso, TX with a left hand within the twelfth spherical.

“We confronted loads of adversity throughout this camp, so this victory means much more – particularly with my child on the best way,” Melikuziev stated. “I wish to thank Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya, and the Diaz Coaching Camp for the unbelievable assist. I’ll face anybody and everybody. I’m not scared to face the likes of Caleb Plant or any of the highest guys at tremendous middleweight.”

Darius Fulghum punches Bektemir Melikuziev throughout their bout at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Bektemir Melikuziev punches Darius Fulghum during their boxing bout in Las Vegas — Bektemir Melikuziev punches Darius Fulghum throughout their bout at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Bektemir Melikuziev punches Darius Fulghum throughout their bout at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

On Melikuziev vs Fulghum undercard

Within the co-main occasion, Eric Priest (16-0, 8 KOs) of Wichita Falls, TX defeated Luis Arias (22-5-1, 11 KOs) of Milwaukee, WI by unanimous resolution at middleweight. After 10 rounds, the judges scored the battle 99-90, 99-90, and 96-93. Arias was deducted a degree within the second spherical for punching on the break.

Amongst different Melikuziev vs Fulghum outcomes, Joshua Edwards (2-0, 2 KOs) of Houston, TX dropped and stopped Alexander Rhodes (2-2, 1 KO) of West Columbia, SC within the first spherical at heavyweight. The official time was 2:08.

In one other heavyweight matchup, Federico Pacheco Jr. (9-0, 6 KOs) of Los Angeles defeated Calvin Barnett (5-3, 2 KOs) of Tulsa, OK by unanimous resolution. After six rounds, all three judges scored it 58-55.

Within the telecast opener, Cayden Griffiths (5-0, 5 KOs) of Harrisburg, PA stopped Edgar Gutierrez (3-3, 2 KOs) of Yuma, AZ within the fourth spherical at welterweight. The time was 1:15.

Eric Priest and Luis Arias throughout their bout at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Eric Priest and Luis Arias during their boxing bout in Las Vegas — Eric Priest and Luis Arias throughout their bout at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Referee Allen Huggins raises Eric Priest's hand after his victory over Luis Arias in Las Vegas — Referee Allen Huggins raises Eric Priest’s hand after his victory over Luis Arias at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Eric Priest after his victory over Luis Arias in Las Vegas — Eric Priest after his victory over Luis Arias at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Referee Robert Hoyle raises Joshua Edwards' hand after his stoppage victory over Alexander Rhodes — Referee Robert Hoyle raises Joshua Edwards’ hand after his stoppage victory over Alexander Rhodes at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Federico Pacheco Jr punches Calvin Barnett during their boxing bout in Las Vegas — Federico Pacheco Jr punches Calvin Barnett throughout their bout at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Cayden Griffiths punches Edgar Gutierrez during their boxing bout in Las Vegas — Cayden Griffiths punches Edgar Gutierrez throughout their bout at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Grant Flores throws a jab during his bout against Brandon Diaz-Campos in Las Vegas — Grant Flores throws a jab throughout his bout in opposition to Brandon Diaz-Campos at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Santiago Dominguez throws a jab during his bout against John Vincent Moralde — Santiago Dominguez throws a jab throughout his bout in opposition to John Vincent Moralde at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

Daniel Garcia throws a punch during his boxing bout against George Camilo Rodriguez Pardo — Daniel Garcia throws a punch throughout his bout in opposition to George Camilo Rodriguez Pardo at The Theater at Virgin Motels Las Vegas, Might 30, 2025 | Golden Boy/Cris Esqueda

On Melikuziev vs Fulghum prelims

Among the many prelims, Grant Flores (10-0, 8 KOs) of Thermal, CA eradicated Brandon Diaz-Campos (6-1, 6 KOs) of Hastings, NE within the fifth spherical at tremendous welterweight. The time was 2:58.

Mexico’s Santiago Dominguez (28-1, 21 KOs) stopped Filipino John Vincent Moralde (27-6, 16 KOs) within the first spherical at welterweight. The time was 2:52.

Daniel Garcia (12-0, 9 KOs) of Denver, CO scored a unanimous resolution over Colombia’s George Camilo Rodriguez Pardo (10-4, 8 KOs) at light-weight. After eight rounds, all three scores had been 80-72.

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