Israil Madrimov can take a step closer to achieving his world title dream when he faces Michel Soro in a final eliminator for the WBA super-welterweight championship on another huge night for Uzbekistan boxing at the Renaissance Hall in Tashkent on Friday December 17, with all of the action shown live worldwide on DAZN.
Madrimov (7-0, 5 KOs), the number-two ranked super-welterweight with the WBA, outpointed the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Emmany Kalombo, who had won all fourteen of his professional contests inside the distance before facing ‘The Dream’, last time out at the Humo Arena in Tashkent on the undercard of Murodjon Akhmadaliev’s win over Ryosuke Iwasa.
France’s Soro (35-2-1, 24 KOs) is ranked number-one in the world at 154lbs with the WBA and secured mandatory status in 2018 with a two-round wipe-out of the USA’s Greg Vendetti. The reigning WBA Gold super-welterweight champion scored a pair of knockouts over his compatriots Anderson Prestot and Cedric Vitu in 2019 but hasn’t fought since.
Uzbekistan’s undefeated super-lightweight star Shakhram Giyasov (11-0, 9 KOs) returns to action against Argentina’s Cristian Rafael Coria (29-8-2, 13 KOs) after successfully defending his WBA International title with a third-round stoppage win over Patricio Lopez Moreno in April.
2016 Olympic Champion Hasanboy Dusmatov (3-0, 3 KOs) fights for the second time in 2021 following his impressive two-round demolition job on Muhsin Kizota to capture the WBA International light-flyweight title in just his third outing in the professional ranks.
Tashkent’s own Dilshodbek Ruzmetov makes his professional debut at light-heavyweight, undefeated lightweight Elnur Abduraimov (7-0, 6 KOs) continues his journey in the pros and super-welterweight prospect Ikboljon Kholdarov (1-0) looks to build on his pro debut win back in April.
"I am looking forward to December 17, when I will take my final step before challenging for the world title,” said Soro.
“My opponent Israil Madrimov deserves respect as he has the courage to face me with only 7 professional fights behind him. But I am ready to beat anyone, anywhere.
"I will prove it on December 17, and I will prove it again when I become world champion."
“We're bringing DAZN back to Uzbekistan,” said Madrimov. “I'm happy to fight in Uzbekistan in front of my people.
"Fighting Soro is a big and very important step towards my goal. I rate him as the best super-welterweight who doesn't hold the belt. It will be exciting fight for the fans worldwide.”