It’s a busy boxing weekend. The fights aren’t all particularly big but any week when Sebastian Fundora, Shakur Stevenson, and Kenshiro Teraji are all in action means plenty for everyone to watch.
On paper, the best fight of the weekend might be an undercard scrap. In chief support to Saturday’s Jesse Rodriguez-Cristian Gonzalez flyweight title bout (DAZN, 8 PM EST) two of the top ten Jr. featherweights in the world will square off with two major titles on the line.
That it comes with one of the sport’s very best matches, Stephen Fulton-Naoya Inoue, just months away only makes it more interesting. In a perfect world, the winner of Murodjon Akhmadaliev-Marlon Tapales would see the winner of Fulton-Inoue next(ish).
This isn’t a perfect world, but this should be a heck of a fight on its own while the rest of the world sorts out.
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Age: 28
Titles: WBA/IBF Jr. Featherweight (2020-Present, 3 Defenses)
Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’5 ½
Weight: 121 ½ lbs.
Stance: Southpaw
Hails from: Chust, Uzbekistan
Record: 11-0, 8 KO
Press Rankings: #2 (TBRB, Ring, ESPN), #5 (BoxRec)
Record in Major Title Fights: 4-0, 2 KO
Last Five Opponents: 138-20-3 (.866)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Daniel Roman SD12; Ryosuke Iwasa TKO5
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
Vs.
Marlon Tapales
Age: 31
Title: None
Previous Titles: WBO Bantamweight (2016-17)
Height: 5’4
Weight: 121 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Southpaw
Hails from: Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Record: 36-3, 19 KO, 2 KOBY
Rankings: #4 (BoxRec), #6 (TBRB, Ring), #9 (ESPN)
Record in Major Title Fights: 1-0, 1 KO (1-1, 1 KO, 1 KOBY including interim title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 130-46-7 (.730)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Pungluang Sor Singyu KO11; Ryosuke Iwasa TKO by 11
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
The Pick: We have a clash of southpaws which can sometimes produce off-kilter results. It’s not a first for either man. Both faced Iwasa and their results came out different with Akhmadaliev winning by stoppage and Tapales losing by the same. Tapales has an aggressive style and solid power.What he doesn’t have is much in the way of physical advantage. Tapales is the naturally smaller man, with shorter arms, and based on film of both men, is also a hair slower.
If Tapales can make it a brawl early on he can open up chances for a big shot. Akhmadaliev’s ability to move and box will help in limiting those chances. Akhmadaliev is smart about his movement and reinforces it with smart offense. The strength advantage for Akhmadaliev should show up when they get inside as well. Eventually the aggression of Tapales is going to mean big countering opportunities. Akhmadaliev should capitalize and for a stoppage win and fourth successful title defense.
Additional Weekend Picks
Fundora Dec. Mendoza
Rodriguez Dec. Gonzalez
Stevenson TKO Yoshino
Teraji TKO Olascuaga
Rold Picks 2023: 13-1
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com