Murodjon Akhmadaliev will defend his WBA and IBF 122-pound championships against Marlon Tapales at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday April 8th, on the same show on which Jesse Rodriguez faces Cristian Gonzalez for the vacant WBO flyweight crown, live worldwide on DAZN. Akhmadaliev (11-0 8 KOs) makes the fourth defense of the WBA and IBF belts he landed against Daniel Roman in Miami in January 2020, and he’s seen off Ryosuke Iwasa (TKO 5, April 2021), Jose Velazquez (UD, November 2021) and Ronny Rios (TKO 12, June 2022) in his three defenses to date, with his win over Rios happening at the same venue he returns to in April. From the Philippines, former WBO bantawmeight champion Tapales (36-3 19 KOs) will be looking to throw a spanner in the works, as he enters his fortieth pro fight on the back of three straight second round KO wins.

 

“I’m happy to be back in the ring,” said Akhmadaliev. “It’s been a while, but finally we’re here for an exciting match against a great fighter in Tapales. He’s a former champion, we have similar styles, so I am preparing for tough action-packed fight on April 8th. Thanks to Matchroom, World of Boxing, my team and all the support from boxing fans.”

 

“I am very excited again for this opportunity to fight for not one but two World titles,” said Tapales. “This is my dream to become world champion again. I would like to thank my Team at Sanman Boxing, Knucklehead Boxing, Shapiro Sports, Viva Promotions and TGB Promotions for getting me this opportunity. I will bring pride and glory to the Philippines when I win both the IBF and WBA belts.”