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Akhmadaliev Defends World Title Against Tapales On
Rodriguez vs. Gonzalez April 8 Card
Murodjon Akhmadaliev will defend his WBA and IBF World
Super-Bantamweight titles against Marlon Tapales at the
Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday
April 8, as the co-main event to Jesse Rodriguez’s quest to
become a two-weight World champion when he faces Cristian
Gonzalez for the vacant WBO Flyweight crown, exclusively
live worldwide on DAZN.
Rodriguez (17-0 11 KOs) drops down to 112lbs in his quest to
land World title honors at a second weight after an
incredible year in 2022. ‘Bam’ become boxing’s youngest
World champion when he stepped in late to dominate former
World ruler Carlos Cuadras to land the vacant WBC
Super-Flyweight strap in Phoenix in February and then came
home to San Antonio for his first defense where he put on a
stunning display at the venue that he goes for two-weight
glory in, when he stopped Thai star Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
inside eight rounds in June.
Those wins saw Rodriguez named as the Fighter of the Year in
ESPN’s midyear awards, and in September, he successfully
defended the green and gold belt once again, this time in
Las Vegas as the co-main event on the Canelo-GGG trilogy
night against Israel Gonzalez.
It’s same surname, different challenge for Rodriguez as
Mexican Gonzalez (15-1 5 KOs) looks to upset the odds in his
first World title fight. The 23 year old is the #2 ranked
fighter in the division, one spot behind top dog Rodriguez,
boxes in the States for the first time in his five year
career having exclusively boxed on home turf to this point.
“I’m more than excited to be returning home for another
World title fight,” said Rodriguez. “My last fight here was
a very special night and I can promise this one will be even
better.
“I’m ready to make history in San Antonio when I become a
two-division champion. I’m here to start 2023 with a bang
and nothing less. Thank you to Matchroom and Teiken for yet
another opportunity to reach greatness.”
“We are working hard for this next great challenge of
fighting for the WBO World title,” said Gonzalez. “I want to
thank Matchroom, All Star Boxing Inc and Teiken for the
opportunity. Our clash of styles will turn this fight into a
Mexican war that won’t make it to the scorecards.”
Akhmadaliev (11-0 8 KOs) makes the fourth defense of the WBA
and IBF belts he landed against Daniel Roman in Miami in
January 2020, and he’s seen off Ryosuke Iwasa (TKO 5, April
2021), Jose Velazquez (UD, November 2021) and Ronny Rios
(TKO 12, June 2022) in his three defenses to date, with his
win over Rios happening at the same venue he returns to in
April. ‘MJ’ is hunting an undisputed battle with Stephen
Fulton, but Filipino Tapales (36-3 19 KOs) will be looking
to throw a spanner in the works, and the former World
Bantamweight ruler enters his 40th pro fight on the back of
three straight second round KO wins.
“I'm happy to be back in the ring,” said Akhmadaliev. “It's
been a while, but finally we're here for an exciting match
against a great fighter in Tapales. He's a former champion,
we have similar styles, so I am preparing for tough
action-packed fight on April 8. Thanks to Matchroom, World
of Boxing, my team and all the support from boxing fans.”
“I am very excited again for this opportunity to fight for
not one but two World titles,” said Tapales. “This is my
dream to become World Champion again. I would like to thank
my Team at Sanman Boxing, Knucklehead Boxing, Shapiro
Sports, Viva Promotions and TGB Promotions for getting me
this opportunity. I will bring pride and glory to the
Philippines when I win both the IBF and WBA belts.”
Raymond Ford’s rise continues at pace, and the WBA #3 rated
Featherweight will defend his WBA Continental Americas title
against former World champion Jessie Magdaleno. Like
Akhmadaliev, Ford (13-0-1 7 KOs) returns to the San Antonio
arena that he defended the title in June and does so on the
back of a KO worthy of his nickname in Cleveland in
November, where a ‘Savage’ right hand ended the challenge of
African dangerman Sakaria Lukas.
Ford will be banging on the door for World title action with
a win, and that’s a level that’s familiar to Magdaleno (29-1
18 KOs) with the Las Vegas man having ripped the WBO
Bantamweight title from Nonito Donaire in November 2016. The
31 year old defended it successfully against Adeilson Dos
Santos before losing out to Isaac Dogboe in April 2018 – but
he’s been undefeated since
“People are talking about this being a step up for me but
I’m the step up for Magdaleno,” said Ford. “He's never
fought anyone with a skill set like mine and never been hit
by a sharpshooter like me.
“I'm ready for anyone at 126 and once I get past Magdaleno
then it's time for me to get my shot at a World title.”
“Everyone loves a comeback story, and everyone loves the
underdog as well,” said Magdaleno. “I kind of feel like I've
been the underdog before, and I’ve come out on top. Here we
are again. This is my time to shine. A win in this fight
puts me right back to where I need to be. I can’t let Ray
Ford take that from me. Hopefully that inspires people to
not give up on their dreams.”
Mattice (20-3-1 15 KOs) recorded the biggest win of his
career to date in his hometown of Cleveland in November,
picking up the WBA Continental Americas Super-Featherweight
title on points against Christian Tapia. That performance
landed him a contract with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, and
the first fight under that deal sees the ‘Gunna Man’ defend
that belt against Ramiro Cesena. Undefeated Mexican Cesena
(16-0-1) brings a fearsome knockout ratio to the table in
his first fight on American soil, and the 23 year old dubbed
‘Demon’ has devilish plans to derail Mattice’s Matchroom
debut.
“April 8 we are back,” said Mattice. “Another undefeated
fighter and another big step for my career. This is my first
fight since signing with Matchroom and I plan on putting on
another spectacular performance to show the world why they
signed me.
“At this stage of my career it’s only big fights from here
on out. I want the top guys at 130 and on April 8, I plan on
making a statement to show I’m here and I’m coming for those
belts.”
“I am very excited to make my United States debut live on
DAZN on April 8 against a very strong opponent in Mattice,”
said Cesena. “I am going to be well prepared to bring a war
to my Mexican people in San Antonio come fight night. I want
to thank my promoters Shane Shapiro and Karim Akkar for
giving me this opportunity to showcase my talent in the US.”
“What a night we have in store in San Antonio,” said Hearn.
“Jesse is on the fast track to becoming a superstar in the
sport and performing regularly on his home patch is a key
element of turning this young talent into a household name
in Texas and beyond.
“MJ always brings entertainment and with an undisputed fight
in his sights, it’s vital he shines against Tapales. Ray is
really building a lot of momentum and with Leigh Wood
defending the WBA title next weekend that ‘Savage’ has his
eyes on, Jessie Magdelano is the perfect test of Ray’s World
title credentials. Thomas is a great addition to the
Matchroom team and a real dark horse in the 130lbs division,
but he needs to be at his best to see of the dangerous
Cesena if he’s to send a message to the champions.
“There’s much more to be added and I can’t wait to be back
in San Antonio for this night, where I believe ‘Bam’ will
become a two-weight World champion and take the first step
on another stellar year.”
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