Bektemir Melikuziev's TKO win fuels title dreams in a stacked division.
The super middleweight division is heating up, and Bektemir Melikuziev is making his case to be the next big thing. With a seventh-round TKO victory over Ghana's Sena Agbeko in Las Vegas, Melikuziev takes another step towards his ultimate goal: a championship fight. But here's where it gets interesting... Melikuziev is not just aiming for any title; he's setting his sights on the throne left vacant by the legendary Terence Crawford and the injured Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
The fight against Agbeko, 29-5 (23 KOs), showcased Melikuziev's power and precision. After rocking Agbeko with a combination, he delivered a flush left to the face, sending Agbeko to the canvas. The action resumed, but Melikuziev's relentless lefts proved too much, and the TKO was called with two seconds left in the round.
Melikuziev, now 17-1 (11 KOs), is hungry for the top spot. He boldly declared, 'I'm knocking on the door, I'm begging. And whoever wins that next WBA [title] fight, I get him.' This statement is sure to spark some debate among boxing enthusiasts. Is Melikuziev ready for the big leagues? Only time will tell.
Currently, Melikuziev is ranked second by the WBA at 168lbs, behind champion Jose Armando Resendiz and the iconic Canelo Alvarez. Alvarez is gearing up for a September WBC title bout in Saudi Arabia against Christian Mbilli. Meanwhile, Resendiz is in talks with former title challenger Jaime Munguia and could also face fellow contender Jermall Charlo.
Melikuziev's performance against Agbeko was impressive, especially in the third round when he staggered his opponent with powerful lefts to the head. However, the fourth round presented a challenge as Melikuziev sustained a gash on his right eyebrow from a clash of heads, which he admitted affected him until the fifth. But this didn't slow him down; he continued to land jabs and power punches, dominating the sixth round.
The undercard featured rising middleweight star Amari Jones, who improved to 16-0 (14 KOs) after stopping Luis Arias in the fourth round. Jones, a 23-year-old from Oakland, displayed his talent by dropping Arias twice, showcasing his power and precision. This performance has many believing he's a future champion.
In the opening bout, heavyweight Joshua Edwards, a 2024 U.S. Olympian, won a unanimous decision against Canada's Brandon Colantonio, extending his unbeaten streak to six fights. Edwards, who made his debut in April, showed promise but couldn't extend his knockout streak. He received pre-fight advice from former heavyweight title challenger Gerry Cooney, who emphasized the importance of head movement.
Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Alakel, trained by the renowned Abel Sanchez, improved to 8-0 with a second-round knockout of David Calabro. Alakel's body shot set up the initial knockdown, and a powerful left to the rib cage finished the fight. Alakel's rapid rise is one to watch.
Lance Pugmire, a veteran boxing writer, covered the action, bringing his expertise from years of reporting for prestigious publications. His insights add depth to the sport's latest developments.
