Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Ryosuke Iwasa could clash this year
According to Olamsport.com, unified junior featherweight champion Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6ko) is returning to the ring against Interim IBF titlist Ryosuke Iwasa (27-3, 17ko) at the Humo Arena on March 13. Those that have been waiting for this news to resurface are probably keeping their fingers crossed, as this is not the first time both teams had attempted to make the fight.
On January 30, 2020, MJ dethroned then unified champion Daniel Roman and made history as the first boxer from Uzbekistan to become a world champion. The newly crowned unified champion was looking to make a homecoming defense against Iwasa before COVID-19 put those plans on hold.
The 31-year-old Japanese fighter captured his first world championship by knocking out then IBF champion Yukinori Oguni back in 2017. He followed up that performance with a successful title defense against Ernesto Saulong before losing the title to TJ Doheny in 2018.
After two back to back victories and winning the Interim title is back into title contention, the former champion undoubtedly is eager to reclaim the IBF title from the possession of the unified champion. As a bonus, he would also walk away with the WBA championship.
INTERESTING FACTS
Akhmadaliev was born in Uzbekistan but resides in California, and has fought primarily in the United States. Yet, provided things go according to plan, he will be fighting for the first time in his native country.
Iwasa first started his career in the bantamweight division before finding success at the junior featherweight division. He is a road warrior, having fought in the United Kingdom, the United States, and willing to fight in Uzbekistan. There has not been an official announcement. However, both teams should be given credit for being able to revisit this fight. 3kingsboxing will continue to provide any details as things develop.
By: Garrisson Bland
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