Sport+ Live: Ali Bagodinoviç Akhmedov vs. Joseph Maigwisya & Zhankosh Turarov vs. Ali Cañega RBR

Joseph "Terminator" Maigwisya of Tanzania giving up 7cm of reach per the onscreen graphic. BoxRec says his wingspan is longer than Akhmedov's.

edit: n/m, height, not reach.

 

Round 1

Akhmedov is jabbing and leaning away from Maigwisya's counters. Akhmedov landing more but still eating the occasional jab when he lingers in close. Clinches becoming more frequent as the round goes on...pretty permissive ref letting them fight out of them themselves. Maigwisya with some wild hooks, slipped by Akhmedov at close range. Ref warns Maigwisya to watch the billy-goating.

10-9 Akhmedov, close, really not much to report on.

 

Round 2

Akhmedov double jabbing, Maigwisya ducking. Maigwisya single jabbing, missing, and encircling his arms and grabbing Akhmedov around the waist. Combos from Akhmedov hitting the guard. Maigwisya flails down with a right hand and hits Akhmedov's shoulder/upper back as they slam together into a clinch with Akhmedov's head bowed. Maigwisya is jabbing with Akhmedov, then pops him with a right hand. Ref again warns for him for falling in leading with his head. Losing his patience; one more bumps of horns and I'm guessing Maigwisya will have a point taken away.

10-9 Akhmedov, close

20-18 AA

 

I think Akhmedov is too.

It's crazy how much more confidence he fought with as an undefeated prospect. I get it, being stopped twice will make you more cautious - but even with a random Tanzanian dude who's 14-4 and has lost every time he left home? Seriously?

 

Yeah that was weird as hell.

 

3-zip Akhmedov. It's like he wants to box to a UD10 here...whereas Turarov earlier threw all but the kitchen sink at Canega trying for the KO and had to settle for a UD10.

I doubt Maigwisya would prove as physically or mentally durable as Canega if Akhmedov really dialed up the intensity.

 

Akhmedov content to jab from medium range, then go into a Philly shell and show off defensively while Maigwisya lunges at him from a distance (afraid to commit because Akhmedov is ready to counter with an overhand right)

Kazakh fans in the YouTube live chat are not happy. Calling this a sparring demonstration, not a fight.

40-36 Akhmedov

 

This isn't a great watch. Not only is the volume from both very tepid (and the accuracy low as it's all messy exchanges with both twisting away from each other and then unwinding their coil-springs to disrupt with counters), the clinching is getting completely outta hand. I kind of wish the ref would sack up and take control.

50-45 Akhmedov

 

60-54 ...yawn.

Can't believe I planned my afternoon around this...

Also can't believe that at one time Akhmedov was the prospect about whom I was most excited.

Damn you, Sulęcki & Góngora...

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Rewinding real quick to see if that should've been ruled a knockdown at the beginning of R7.

edit: Eh, not really. More of a cuffing inner forearm swept across the head that pushed Maigwisya down. Akhmedov overextended on a left hook inside.