WBA Appeases MJ With Interim Title Fight; Gets to Retain Inoue as Regular Champion
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 29 Oct 2024
Looks like the WBA has dodged a court case it is likely to lose.
The WBA has finally called for an interim title fight involving a disgruntled ex-titlist and long impatient mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev thereby appeasing the Uzbek and getting to retain Naoya Inoue as regular champion.
It should have been done that months ago with Akhmadaliev twice rebuffed as Inoue's title opponent.
First was when Australia's Sam Goodman, the IBF-WBO mandatory challenger, gained Inoue's nod as opponent in scheduled title defense last September. And second was when Goodman backed out for a later year crack and Irish ex-titlist TJ Doheny passed over MJ as replacement.
The Akhmadaliev camp then threatened a lawsuit if the WBA does not strip Inoue of his title as the Japanese affirmed his commitment to defend against Goodman next. The fight has in fact been set for Christmas Eve in Japan.
By way of escape route, the WBA again prevented a lawsuit it is likely to lose by finally ordering an interim title fight between Akmadaliev and Mexican Ricardo Franco Espinoza.
Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) faces Espinoza Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) for the WBA interim world super bantamweight title in the main event of a four bout card to take place on Dec 14, 2024 in Monte Carlo to steam live on DAZN.
It remains to be seen if the WBA will elevate the winner to full champion status or if Inoue will defend against him in the projected fight in the US.
The fight will be Akhmadaliev's first since December 2023, a comeback win after losing his unified belts to Filipino Marlon Tapales in an upset.
Questions are raised as to the choice of Franco Espinoza as MJ's opponent as the Mexican lost his two previous major fights. He lost by last round knockout to Filipino Johnriel Casimero for the then WBO interim bantamweight championship in 2018 and by decision in a non title bout to American Danny Roman from whom Akhmadalev originally won his erstwhile unified WBA and IBF super bantamweight titles.
Casimero has not fought for any WBA titles previously but many were expecting him to be named as Akhmadaliev's foe in the interim bout as he himself has been calling Inoue since their failed title unification back in 2020. Could his suspension by the Japan Boxing Commission affected his chance?
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
5 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Thu, 03 Apr 2025IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
Thu, 03 Apr 2025TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Thu, 03 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
By Eric Armit, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Melvin the Avenger
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 02 Apr 2025WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Wed, 02 Apr 2025