This Saturday night, there is a major bout in Monaco as the hotly tipped Murodjon Akhmadaliev looks to secure himself a shot at the super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue.
The rising star is looking to secure a bout with a modern great, on a card that includes Cheavon Clarke against Leonardo Mosquea and lightweights Gary Cully and Maxi Hughes.
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Standing in the way of the Uzbek fighter is Ricardo Espinoza Franco, a Mexican out to spoil the party and see if he can prevent his foe from that dream clash down the line.
As fight night approaches, DAZN News takes a moment to find out more about Akhmadaliev - and whether he has what it takes to step forth from the potential brink of greatness.
Who is Murodjon Akhmadaliev?
Born in Uzbekistan on November 2, 1994, Akhmadaliev is a southpaw fighter with a reputation for aggressive style and technical prowess against his foes once in the ring.
With a decorated background at amateur level for his country on the global stage, his transition to the professional ranks since has been nothing short of spectacular too.
What was his amateur success?
The highest honour a boxer can arguably take before turning professional is glory at the Olympic Games - and Akhmadaliev managed that with bantamweight bronze at Rio 2016.
Either side of that triumph, he secured silver at the 2015 World Championships and gold at the 2017 Asian Championships too, showcasing an elite skill-set against his foes.
What is his professional record?
After turning pro in 2018, Akhmadaliev quickly made a name for himself, becoming a unified champion in just his eighth bout when he defeated Daniel Roman in January 2020.
That gave him the WBA and IBF super-bantamweight titles, and remains the cornerstone of a 12-1 professional record that speaks to his power and success behind the ropes.
What is his fighting style?
Akhmadaliev is known for his high-pressure style, blending power and precision. His ability to switch seamlessly between offense and defence makes him a dangerous opponent.
That goes for just about every fighter he has faced in the division. Nine of his wins so far have come by knockout, showcasing a ruthlessly impressive skill set to earn his mettle.
What about his setbacks?
There is one blemish on his record, which dates back to 2023. There, Akhmadaliev lost by split decision to Marlon Tapales, and with it, the WBA and IBF belts he held too.
The loss however has not deterred him. Saturday’s fight against Espinoza Franco is a critical step in his quest to regain championship glory and set up a dream fight with Inoue.
What’s at stake?
Victory in Monaco would position Akhmadaliev as a mandatory challenger for Inoue, arguably boxing’s pound-for-pound best - but a defeat could spell the end of his ambitions.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the star, who aims to prove he belongs among the sport’s elite - and will be intimately aware that he may not get another chance like this too.
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