Two International Boxing Federation titles changed hands on January 30, 2020 when Murodjon Akhmadaliev bested super bantamweight champion Daniel Roman and Joseph Diaz dethroned lightweight title holder Tevin Farmer in Miami, Florida on Super Bowl LIV weekend.
Akhmadaliev, (8-0, 6KO) from Namangan, Uzbekistan, who represented his country in the 2016 Olympics, came into the fight against Roman as an underdog. Despite the lack of experience in the pro ranks, Akhmadaliev came into the bout in supreme physical condition under the tutelage of veteran trainer Joel Diaz and was more than able to make it through the entire twelve round title fight despite going the 36 minute distance for the first time.
“I cannot describe what I am feeling. I have never been a world champion, not even in the amateurs. It never happened for me. Now I am the first in the history of Uzbekistan to be the unified champion. This is something incredible.”
Roman was defending the IBF title for the first time and had come off a nine month layoff due to injury. The California native took a few rounds to settle in, yet by the mid rounds both fighters began to fight on even terms. Roman and Akhmadaliev traded early and often in what was a fight which featured a few close and difficult to score rounds.
Overall, it was the work-rate of Akhmadaliev which proved the difference, as the contender who now finds himself the champion had consistently pressed Roman and was able to get the better of the exchanges late in the contest. The action fight produced no knockdowns.
The scores were 115-113 for Roman, 115-113 for Akhmadaliev, and 115-113 for Akhmadaliev.
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Philadelphian Tevin Farmer was making the fifth defense of the International Boxing Federation super featherweight title when he faced Joseph Diaz in the bout that followed Akhmadaliev-Roman.
Farmer notably injured his right hand in the first round, followed by Diaz, Los Angeles, California, suffering a large cut over his left eye in the second in what was a fight which Diaz slowly began to dominate as the bout progressed. Diaz found his success with combination punching as Farmer was unable to land consistent offense or press his right hand jab toward Diaz’s injured left eye.
Diaz, (31-1, 15KO) fought well even with the ever opening large gash above the left eyelid, thanks to the work of veteran cut-man Ben Lira. "I knew I had to pay no attention to it, focus on my gameplan, and apply the pressure. Keep the attack. That's what I did."
"I knew it was an (IBF) championship fight," Diaz added. "I didn't want to let it go."
The fight went the full twelve round distance and Diaz, who sported a number 8 Kobe Bryant jersey to honor the recently deceased basketball player, won at the scores of 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 and walked out of the ring with the Kobe jersey on and the IBF title around his waist.
Akhmadaliev and Diaz are now first-time International Boxing Federation champions who also share the same trainer in Joel Diaz.
By: Raymundo Dioses