TAJIKISTAN talent Bakhodur Usmonov retained his undefeated record with a points win over Christopher Mouafo at the Tennis Palace and Water Sports Complex in Dushanbe. After 10 intense rounds of action, Usmonov’s skills and fitness were both needed to repel the competent charge of visitor Mouafo.
Competing at 61.2kg, in what was effectively a lightweight contest, Mouafo started confidently but was soon placed behind Usmonov’s strict left jab. Mouafo’s experience meant he was never panicked, responding with a jab to try and keep the busier hometown fighter at bay.
Usmonov’s ability to put together crisp combinations was making all the difference. When Mouafo threw with Usmonov, he was able to find the target. The Cameroonian found a chink of light in round seven when a sparking right hand visibly hurt Usmonov after catching him flush on the chin.
Mouafo’s quality was there for everyone to see. He just wasn’t throwing enough and thus landing enough. Usmonov let the shots rip in round eight as Mouafo’s overhand right spurred the Tajikistan boxer into life.
Usmonov upped the tempo in round 10, ensuring he was able to get by on the judges’ scorecards by unanimous decision. “The winner displayed his variety, activity and accuracy,” said commentator Ronald McIntosh.
In an IBA Intercontinental heavyweight contest, Tajik hero Davlat Boltaev needed barely two minutes to destroy Nigerian knockout artist Solomon Adebayo. Boltaev’s appearance was extremely popular with the locals who roared him into the ring, waving flags.
Tall and strong but incredibly raw, Adebayo was decked in round one by a big right hand. He was down again shortly after from a left hook and flurry.
Referee Sergey Zhurkin waved it off, confirming that Boltaev had not only won the contest but also secured an apartment as promised by Umar Kremlev before the fight.
Florida-based Russian Vadim Musaev was last seen improving his impressive knockout ratio by blasting away an opponent in one round in Turkey. This time he was made to work hard for his win as Mexican Jose Miguel Borrego brought the heat as usual.
Fit, strong and never afraid to rumble, Borrego is no stranger to IBA events and always gives a good account of himself. The Aguascalientes man lost a unanimous points decision but went down fighting to the very last bell of this 10-rounder. Musaev left with his WBA Asia belt.
In the 76.2kg category, Serbian-based Vladimir Mironchikov outlasted 40-year-old former world title challenger Walter Kautondokwa over eight rounds.
