Sadriddin Akhmedov could be in the spotlight after his seventh-round win over Raphael Igbokwe in Friday’s middleweight bout at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.
Akhmedov started off with a steady pace, but gradually increased his output as the fight progressed. Known for his body punches, Akhmedov also proved he could take a punch, suffering a cut over his left eye during the fight. Despite the damage, Akhmedov defeated Ibokwe with heavier punches, as Ibokwe lacked the skills to match Akhmedov’s strength.
However, the battle also had its difficult moments. Akhmedov, who trains with Abel Sanchez (Gennady Golovkin’s former coach), showed promise but slowed down in the second half, allowing Ibokwe to rally. In the seventh game, Ahmedov exerted crazy pressure, which eventually led to the game being suspended with 52 seconds left.
Akhmedov’s record improved to 15-0 (13 KOs), while Ibokwe dropped to 17-6 (7 KOs).
After the fight, Akhmedov revealed his plans to continue fighting in the junior middleweight division.
Junior welterweight Carlos Valderas, Former 2016 U.S. Olympian The Santa Maria, Calif., fighter debuted under 360 Promotions with a sixth-round knockout of Cesar Villarraga of Bogota, Colombia. The timeout time is also at the 52nd second of this round.
Balderas, coming off a loss to Nasher Albright, faced the 39-year-old Villaraga, who kept busy and traded blows with him throughout the fight. While Villallaga’s output was relentless, Balderas’ shot was cleaner. A head-butt in the fourth round derailed the fight, but Balderas finished strong with a left hook and right hand combination that was his best and most eye-catching move. until then.
In the fifth round, both men engaged in intense exchanges, with Balderas showing signs of fatigue. However, Balderas, Only 30 minutes drive from hometown, Sixth delivery. A sharp jab from his right hand knocked Villaraga down. Although Villalarga beat the count, Balderas quickly ended the show.
After the fight, Balderas dedicated the victory to Israel Vasquez, who was with him in his professional debut and recently passed away from cancer. Balderas improved to 15-2 (13 KOs) while Villaraga dropped to 11-11-1 (5 KOs).
Welterweights Jorge Marabello of Salinas, Calif., and Damoni Cato-Kane of Oakland, Calif., fought to an eight-round draw in a fiery back-and-forth contest. .
The judges scored Cato Kane 77-75, Maravillo 77-75, 76-76.
Cato-Kane started off strong, but the momentum began to shift midway through. Marabello ended the fourth round with a powerful left hook and carried that energy into the fifth round – his best round of the fight. Marabello used his distance effectively in the final two rounds to push Cato Kane down, but neither fighter was in complete control of the fight. A draw felt like a fair result.
Marabello maintains an unbeaten record of 10 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss (8 KOs), while Cato Kane’s record currently stands at 8 wins, 1-2 (7 KOs).
Women’s junior lightweight Perla Bazaldua of Los Angeles defeated Mollie Backowski of Colorado in 1 minute and 40 seconds of the first round.
The 19-year-old Bazardua dominated the fight early in the fight when he knocked out the 34-year-old Bartski with a left hook. When Bucksky was unable to mount any offense, the referee paused the game. Bazardua made his professional debut with a record of 1-0 (1 KO), while Bakski was 0-4.
Angel Carrillo of Oxnard, Calif., defeated durable Josua Torres of Simi Valley, Calif., to win a four-round unanimous decision.
All three judges scored Carrillo 40-36.
Carrillo, 19, improves to 4-0-1 (2 KOs). The 33-year-old Torres’ record fell to 0 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, although his record does not reflect his skill or toughness.
Featherweight Fidencio Hernandez defeated Josaphat Navarro of Laguna Hills, Calif., via unanimous decision over four rounds ).
The judges gave Hernandez the win with scores of 40-36, 40-36 and 40-35.
Hernandez participated in his first long-distance fight as a professional and improved his record to 3-0 (2 KOs). The 33-year-old Navarro’s record dropped to 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss.
Lucas Ketelle is an honorary member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the author of Inside the Boxing Ropes (available on Amazon). Contact him via X @LukieBoxing.
