Uzbekistan’s undefeated WBA and IBF super-bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev will return home to defend against Japan’s Ryosuke Iwasa at the Humo Arena, Tashkent on Saturday April 3, live on DAZN.
Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6 KOs) became the first unified world champion from his homeland by dethroning long-reigning champion Daniel Roman in Miami in January 2020, equalling Leon Spinks’ record of becoming a unified titleholder in just eight pro fights.
‘MJ’s’ success in the paid ranks is no surprise after he turned pro in March 2018 having won Olympic bronze in 2016, World Championship silver in 2015 and Asian Games gold in 2017 and silver in 2015 – an impressive haul that solidified his position as one of the best products of the Uzbekistan amateur system.
Iwasa (27-3, 17 KOs) stopped Marlon Tapales in eleven rounds last time out in Brooklyn back in December 2019 to earn the interim IBF belt, and the 31-year-old from Kashiwa is a former holder of the full title, having captured it with a sixth round stoppage of Yukinori Oguni in September 2017.
"It is a great honour and responsibility to defend my Titles for the first time in my motherland, Uzbekistan, in front of the eyes of my compatriots," said Akhmadaliev.
"My opponent Ryosuke Iwasa is a serious contender, so I am preparing for a difficult fight. I am thinking only about the defence of my titles, but my main goal is to unify all of the belts."
Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn said: “This is a huge moment for boxing in Uzbekistan and for Matchroom as we continue our global expansion.
"For many years Uzbekistan fighters have been powerhouses of the amateur scene, and more recently they have emerged with significant presence in the professional code but have had to rely on opportunities in major boxing markets, particularly the US. Now, as superstars in their own country, they get the opportunity to fight in front of their own people in what will be a historic night.”
"This is an extremely important event for boxing in Uzbekistan," said Andrey Ryabinskiy, Head of World of Boxing. “I think that it is a great opportunity for the fighters to start 2021 with impressive wins right in front of the eyes of their compatriots, as well as to show their skills to boxing fans worldwide. These guys are progressing at a fast pace, and I think they will become huge stars in the future."
Super-lightweight Shakram Giyasov (10-0, 8 KOs) returns home for his first pro fight in his proverbial back yard, in the card's chief support bout.
With over a million Instagram followers and massive popularity in his home country, ‘Wonderboy’ rose to fame after winning silver at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, adding to his gold medals at the World and Asian Championships at welterweight.
The event will air live on DAZN. Sign up for a subscription now to watch a host of live boxing including the likes of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, Dillian Whyte, Ryan Garcia and more. Subscribers in Argentina, Chile and Colombia can sign up by first downloading the DAZN app via Google Play or Apple's App Store and proceeding from there.