Murodjon Akhmadaliev Stops Ricardo Espinoza in Round 3
Former unified junior featherweight champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) scored three knockdowns en route to an explosive third-round stoppage over Ricardo Espinoza (30-5, 25 KOs) at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo. After a slightly cautious opening round, Akhmadaliev got on track in round two. He repeatedly landed the right jab, hooks, and uppercuts on the head and body of an Espinoza that was outmatched.
At the beginning of the third, MJ sensed that it would be an early night. Halfway through the round, he put Espinoza down with a straight left to the chin. Landing punches at will, Akhmadaliev put Espinoza down two more times before the referee mercifully called a halt to the contest with seconds to go in the round.
It was a virtuoso performance from Akhmadaliev. Ranked as the mandatory challenger by the WBA at 122 pounds, he demanded a fight with undisputed champion Naoya Inoue during the post-fight interview.
Be the first to comment