By Alexey Sukachev
Two years into his pro career rising Uzbek super middleweight Azizbek Abdugafurov scored arguably his biggest win to date when he outpointed willing but also slipping a bit former WBA interim middleweight titlist Dmitry Chudinov over twelve rounds in Tashkent, Uzbekistan capital.
Chudinov, 31, was the aggressor but "The Triple A" Abdugafurov, 26, was elusive and crafty, although the Russian finished the bout strong.
The final scores were 118-111, 118-110 and 118-110 - all for the Uzbek, who acquired a vacant WBC Silver 168lb title in process.
Abdugofurov is also 11-0, with 4 KOs, now, and with a nice series of wins, which also includes 91-2 Thai veteran Sirimongkol Singwancha. Chudinov drops down to 21-3-2, 13 KOs.
In the main supportive bout, WBC #4, IBF #7 and WBA #8 rated welterweight Qudratillo Abduqaxorov (15-0, 9 KOs) stayed busy with a one-sided unanimous decision over Tanzanian import Twaha Kiduku (12-3-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-rounder.
IN OTHER NEWS: A combined 43 knockouts from 50 victories paints the picture of a fight unlikely to go the full twelve rounds, when contenders Denis Liebau and Emil Markic clash for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) World Light Heavyweight title on Saturday May 19.
For both it will be by far their biggest fight to date, as they headline the third edition of a fight-series called Boss Art Championship, promoted by Diego Baldelli and the Talos Gym at the Bossard Arena in Zug, Switzerland.
Liebau, from Frankfurt in Germany, comes with a fine 23-1 (21) record in a professional career that started five years ago. The former IBA Continental titlist has only lost to undefeated compatriot Dominic Boesel (21-0 at the time), who currently holds the European Light Heavyweight crown.
Fighting out of Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina, where he was also born, Emil Markic made his professional bow in 2012. His record stands at 27-2 (22), coming off two victories since losing a title fight to 18-0 Russian Umar Salamov in New Zealand a year ago.
At thirty-six (Liebau) and thirty-five (Markic), the opportunity to become world champion has come late for both men. They both realize that the opportunity may never come again, and with big punching-power on both sides this one is expected to be a real barn-burner.
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