Will “MJ” Akhmadaliev Return Home For His First Title Defense?
On January 30, Murodjon Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6 KOs) made history becoming the first boxer from Uzbekistan to become a unified world champion when he defeated Daniel Roman to win the WBA/IBF World Super Bantamweight titles.
Following that victory, the 25-year-old (who now resides and fights out of Indio, California) received a hero’s welcome in his home country. Could we now see the fighter known as “MJ” return home to defend his newly won world belts?
It’s a given that Akhmadaliev will make his first title defense against Ryosuke Iwasa, who won the IBF “Interim” World Super Bantamweight title in December 2019. Negotiations for that bout are set to begin very soon.
According to Uzbekistan’s GoSport.uz, the champion’s promoters are ready to make an offer to stage a fight against Iwasa on the champ’s home turf. Their target destination is the Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in either late spring or early summer.
This would be a grand homecoming for the champ. “MJ” has the style and the temperament to be a big name among the smaller weight divisions and a star in his home country.
While nothing has been finalized, the signs are looking to this becoming a reality. Stay tuned to 3KingsBoxing for further details on this developing situation.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
