Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Julio La Cruz, Imam Khataev Biggest Winners in IBA Champion's Night in Thailand

By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Jul 2023



Heavyweights Julio La Cruz of Cuba (R) and Spain's Enmanuel Reyes in heated war.

PHUKET, Thailand -- Cuban Heavyweight Julio La Cruz, the 2-time Olympic Gold and 5-time Amateur World Champion, dropped down tough Cuban-born Spaniard Emmanuel Reyes of La Coruña en route to a unanimous decision win tonight in the main event of the "IBA Champion's Night" here in the paradise island of Phuket, in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Then, in the co-feature, Russian light heavyweight warrior 2023 World Championships Bronze Medalist Imam Abdulayevich Khataev of Chechnya outboxed, out-landed and decisioned Cuban 2-time Olympic Medalist Arlen López Cardona, a fight in which Khataev's relentless pressure paid huge dividends.

Also in the show, Olympic Gold Medalist Hasanboy Dusmatov scored a unanimous decision win over Spaniard Flyweight 2023 World Championships Bronze Medalist Martín Molina Salvador.


Exciting Action in IBA Champions Night in Phuket.

It was a clash in which Molina Salvador was game and skilled, however, Dusmatov's continuous well-placed power shots made the difference.

In another high-level battle, 22-year-old 2023 IBA Men's Welterweight World Champion Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev of Uzbekistan outpointed Dulat Bekbauov of Taraz, Kazakhstan.

In women's action, skilled and strong 19-year-old Megan de Cler of Holland outclassed taller Mexican Zacateca warrior girl Guadalupe "Lupita" Altagracia Solis Acosta in 5 frames to claim a 5-round unanimous decision win.


19-year-old Megan de Cler of Holland outclassed Mexican Lupita Solis Saturday evening in Phuket.

Further in the card, cute 27-year-old Middleweight Valentina Khalzova of Kazakhstan scored the hardest, more telling blows on her way to a clear unanimous decision win over Turkish veteran Elif Guneri.


Middleweight winning lady Valentina Khalzova of Kazakhstan.

In attendance in ringside today in Phuket, Thailand, were IBA Secretary General Chris Roberts, Devraj Das of Mumbai, India, and legendary Hall of Fame champion Roy Jones Jr., among others.

Another important event in the IBA calendar will be the 2023 IBA Junior World Boxing Championships, unfolding in November in Mexico.

Photos courtesy of the IBA.


The author senior boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama was ringside in Phuket. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
    By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
    By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
    By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Davao futsal scores 1st win
    By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
    Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
    By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
    By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
    By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024