Dzhambulat Bizhamov W8 Keiber Gonzalez ... On the IBA undercard in Samara, Russia on Monday, Dzhambulat Bizhamov (4-0) was victorious in the super middleweight division, beating Venezuela's Keiber Gonzalez (21-2) over eight rounds. The Russian found success from the start with left-jab combinations as he tested his opponent’s mettle. Gonzalez had some success countering, but less frequently. A cut to the corner of the Venezuelan’s eye would cause him some annoyance. The sixth round saw plenty of action from both boxers – Gonzalez came in close with an uppercut and it was responded to with gusto from Bizhamov. Just as Bizhamov looked on the way to the victory, Gonzalez caught the Russian with a strong right hand that saw him stumble to the mat. He got up at the count of eight. Surviving the sixth round, Bizhamov looked rejuvenated and was looking to knock his opponent down himself. He settled for a decision win...
ADDITIONAL RESULTS
Khavasbek Asadullaev (4-0) from Uzbekistan won his welterweight match against a previously undefeated Vadim Musaev (now 10-1) from Russia. While there was a lovely one-two combination from Musaev at the end of the second round, Asadullaev’s unique footwork was impressive throughout the contest. He was unpredictable in his movement and would deliver damage from close range to the Russian. After six rounds, it was clear that while Musaev had given a good account of himself, and Asadullaev was a worthy winner.
In an upset, cruiserweight Nusratbek Tokhirov (1-0-1) of Uzbekistan won over six rounds, bettering Russian Anton Zaitsev (2-1). Zaitsev recently defeated gatekeeper Azizbek Abdugofurov. A great set of left hooks from Tokhirov put Zaitsev in survival mode early on, but the Russian was able to retreat to his corner without faltering at the end of the first round. Zaitsev may have felt encouragement with the Uzbek dealing with a bleeding nose before the halfway stage, but Tokhirov equally understood the urgency of getting back into the dominant position, delivering punches with a swagger. Despite Zaitsev looking less animated, he was resilient in the final round and looked stronger in the last six minutes, giving his opponent a scare. Ultimately, Tokhirov’s quality in the earlier rounds paid off.
In the opening bout of the night, Mukhammadjon Raufov (2-2) of Uzbekistan made light work of Gor Tumanyan (2-1) from Russia in the junior middleweight division. A referee’s count against Tumanyan came in the first round when the Russian was struck with a hard right hand. Raufov would replicate that move in the second round, and Tumanyan was deemed unable to continue before the end of the third round, not able to defend himself adequately. Raufov never looked in doubt from the first few punches.
AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED, in the main event of the IBA show, Russia's Khariton Agrba won a wide decision over previously undefeated Sanson Rosa a/k/a Jose Angel Rosa. Agrba prevailed by scores of 99-91 (twice) and 98-92. His pro record is now 18-0. Rosa returns home with a 27-1 record. The ten-round fight was billed as a WBA eliminator and IBA world title fight.
In the co-feature, Michael King defeated Serbia's Vakhid Abbasov in a welterweight bout. King, born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, earned the win based on his late-round rally. In round five, Abbasov scored a flash knockdown in a round otherwise won by King. The scorecards were not read in English. After losing his first two pro bouts, King is now 7-2. Abbasov is listed at 7-1 and holds a 2023 win over former junior welterweight champion Julius Indongo. He competed in the 2024 Olympics, losing his only bout.
