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:
Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino 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 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino IM Bagamasbad prevails
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024DC girl’s futsal in Palawan now
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu is ready to face challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Dante Kirkman Secures First Career Knockout with 3rd Round TKO Victory
Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino Middleweight Star Blazen Rocili Set to Return to the Ring This Saturday in San Antonio, TX
Thu, 21 Nov 2024Stallone hands Donald Trump WBC world champion belt
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Garma beats Lithuanian Grandmaster
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 Nov 2024Saturday: Bakary Samake-Wade Ryan & Elwin Soto-Moisés Caro Headline Separate Fight Cards Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Thu, 21 Nov 2024