Bakhodur Usmonov will face Christopher Mouafo on July 22 in Dushanbe as IBA PRO 8 rolls into town. Usmonov, a 2019 Asian Champion and 2023 World Championships bronze medalist, will be out to impress as the Tajikistan headline attraction. The 27-year-old is currently 10-0 (5 KOs), while Swiss-Cameroonian Mouafo sports an 11-1 (7 KOs) record.
Last seen victorious out in Rwanda, Mouafo arrives in this 10-rounder off the back of a six-fight winning streak. ‘Ruthless’ has never campaigned in the IBA PRO ranks until now and highly-rated Tajikistan talent Usmonov will be keen to inflict a second loss on the visitor.
In the co-main event, Vadim Musaev and Jose Miguel Borrego meet for the IBA PRO Intercontinental Title at 67kg. Russia’s Musaev was an esteemed amateur who has amassed an impressive 12-0 (8 KOs) pro record.
Mexican Borrego, 22-4 (18 KOs), brings a wealth of experience to the table, having boxed future Conor Benn opponent Peter Dobson in 2022. Borrego won rounds against that 14-0 opponent. All of his losses have been close-run affairs.
Highly rated Musaev was last seen knocking out Novruz Huseynov in the first round in Turkey. Borrego is having his fifth fight under the IBA PRO banner, with mixed results. Musaev will be hoping to extend that form with a win on July 22.
Elsewhere on the card, 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Dovlat Boltaev of Tajikistan faces unbeaten Nigerian Solomon Adebayo in an eight-round bout for the IBA PRO Intercontinental title. Adebayo enters this cruiserweight contest with a formidable 13 knockouts from 14 wins.
Khasanov ‘Kamil Karate’ Kamariddin meets American Carlos Guerra over three rounds in an IBA PRO contest. Russia’s Vladimir Mironchikov embarks on an eight-rounder with former world title challenger Walter Kautondokwa.
At 79.2kg, Ageev Artem tackles Adulaziz Abdupattaev of Uzbekistan over four rounds. In a 57.2kg six-rounder, Akmal Ubaidov meets Azerbaijan’s Tayfur Aliyev.
The IBA PRO 8 tournament is being held as part of the Central Asian International Economic Forum in association with the esteemed Tajikistan Boxing Federation.
Supported by IBA President Umar Kremlev and the International Boxing Association, this July 22 event will be broadcast live on Match TV.
The latest card comes hot on the heels of the successful IBA PRO 7 event, where Jazza Dickens stunned Albert Batyrgaziev in the main event, with the likes of Tyson Fury and Terence Crawford watching on from ringside.
