BoxRec

Press Release

Undefeated Middleweight star Demetrius Andrade (28-0, 17 KOs) will defend his WBO World Middleweight Championship against contender Luke Keeler (17-2-1, 5 KOs) at Meridian at Island Gardens in Miami on Thursday January 30, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports in the UK.

Also featured on the packed evening of boxing is Tevin Farmer (30-4-1, 6 KOs) defending his IBF world super featherweight title against JoJo Diaz (30-1, 15 KOs) and unified world super bantamweight champion Daniel Roman (27-2-1, 10 KOs) defending his titles against Murodjon Akhmadaliev (7-0, 6 KOs).

Andrade, 31, looks to successfully defend his piece of the middleweight title for the third time as massive unification fights loom in 2020. Following his homecoming debut in front of a packed crowd in Providence, Rhode Island, Andrade continues to stay active and take on all challengers following an impressive 2019. Standing in his way is Keeler, 32, of Dublin, Ireland. The former WBO European Middleweight Champion bested top contender Luis Arias in August, and will aim to make a statement in his U.S. debut against Andrade.

In the chief support bout of the evening, a highly-anticipated grudge match will take center stage when Tevin Farmer puts his IBF world super featherweight title on the line against JoJo Diaz. The fight between Farmer and Diaz has been brewing for more than a year following multiple run-ins and trash talking between the two fighters. Farmer, 29, won his super featherweight strap in August 2018 against Billy Dib and successfully defended it four times in a nine-month span. Now, the slick southpaw will face Diaz, 27, also a southpaw, who will get his second chance at claiming a world championship after a decision loss to Gary Russell, Jr. in his first title opportunity in 2018.

On the undercard, 29-year-old unified World Super-Bantamweight champion Daniel Roman will meet undefeated Uzbekistan-native Murodjon Akhmadaliev. Roman, a Los Angeles native, unified titles when he captured the IBF World Super-Bantamweight title from TJ Doheny in front of his hometown crowd this past April in one of the most memorable fights of 2019. This fight will mark Roman’s fifth defense of the WBA title that he won in 2017. Akhmadaliev, 29, is Roman’s mandatory challenger and one of the most lauded prospects in the Super-Bantamweight division. Entering just his third year in the professional ranks and eyeing his first World Championship, the southpaw’s tremendous knockout power is expected to thoroughly test Roman’s slick boxing ability.

“We are excited to provide the perfect spot for a night of world-class boxing,” said Jack Murphy of Meridian. “We built Meridian to deliver a unique, one-of-a-kind venue to host events that stand out above the rest and are deserving of first-class hospitality and VIP experience for corporations and the general public alike. We look forward to hosting DAZN, Matchroom Boxing USA, and boxing fans worldwide.”

“I’m delighted to announce our first show of 2020 and our first ever in Miami,” said Eddie Hearn. “This triple-header is the biggest card in Miami for many years and will be held in a purpose built arena on Super Bowl weekend. All these World championship fights are great match ups and there is plenty more to come for this electric show live on DAZN.”

“We are thrilled to continue to break into new markets as we enter our second year in boxing,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN EVP, North America. “There is nothing quite like the big game in America and we have a tremendous opportunity to showcase boxing to all of the fans and media who will also descend upon Miami that week.”

Daniel Roman defends against Murodjon Akhmadaliev

On the undercard, 29-year-old unified World Super-Bantamweight champion Daniel Roman will meet undefeated Uzbekistan-native Murodjon Akhmadaliev. Roman, a Los Angeles native, unified titles when he captured the IBF World Super-Bantamweight title from TJ Doheny in front of his hometown crowd this past April in one of the most memorable fights of 2019.

This fight will mark Roman’s fifth defense of the WBA title that he won in 2017. Akhmadaliev, 29, is Roman’s mandatory challenger and one of the most lauded prospects in the Super-Bantamweight division. Entering just his third year in the professional ranks and eyeing his first World Championship, the southpaw’s tremendous knockout power is expected to thoroughly test Roman’s slick boxing ability.

“Our goal all along was to have this fight in 2019, but injuries happen so we had to be cautious and wait a little longer than we wanted,” said Roman. “I’ve been back in the gym with no limitations and I can say I feel fresh and motivated to defend my title once again."

Akhmadaliev a tough challenge for Roman

“This is the longest break I’ve had between fights in a long time so it’s only natural for me to be anxious to get back in the ring. Akhmadaliev presents a strong challenge and I know that I’ll be getting his best shot, but I’ve been down this road before and everyone knows my track record in world title fights.”

“I am very glad that Daniel Roman took this fight,” said Akhmadaliev. “I know that we are both warriors and this will be a real war! Don’t miss this fight!”

DAZN presents Miami Fight Night, brought to you by Matchroom Boxing USA will be held at Meridian at Island Gardens. Meridian is a 65,000 square-foot custom built multi-level premier live event and entertainment experience that will play host to additional VIP events. DAZN and Matchroom Boxing USA will kick off the big week at Meridian as the first of three nights of entertainment leading into Sunday.

“We are excited to provide the perfect spot for a night of world-class boxing,” said Jack Murphy of Meridian. “And we built Meridian to deliver a unique, one-of-a-kind venue to host events that stand out above the rest and are deserving of first-class hospitality and VIP experience for corporations and the general public alike. We look forward to hosting DAZN, Matchroom Boxing USA, and boxing fans worldwide.”

Good fight, Tev vs Joj is good too. Main event sucks.

Great matchup. Think I'll wait til it gets closer to fight time before making a pick. Looks like a 50-50 fight at this point.

Akhmadaliev is rock solid, but I see Danny winning by decision.

JxhDel. wrote: ↑14 Dec 2019, 12:24 Akhmadaliev is rock solid, but I see Danny winning by decision.

Daniel has shown he is a strong champion.

Best Coast wrote: ↑13 Dec 2019, 19:23 Great matchup. Think I'll wait til it gets closer to fight time before making a pick. Looks like a 50-50 fight at this point.

Decided yet?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑05 Jan 2020, 16:18

JxhDel. wrote: ↑14 Dec 2019, 12:24 Akhmadaliev is rock solid, but I see Danny winning by decision.

Daniel has shown he is a strong champion.

Yes indeed!

Looking forward to this, haven't seen much of Akhmadaliev but I'm hearing good things, is he the first Uzbek to fight for a world title? His team are obviously confident putting him with a unified champion after only 7 fights and no scalps, Roman had a few tough learning fights recently, the Doheny fight was one of the FOTY, he does nothing spectacular but keeps chipping away and grinds out the wins, if Akhmadaliev cant get him out there early then he better be prepared to get in the trenches

Junior featherweight mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev faces unified titlist Danny Roman on Thursday (DAZN) in Miami aiming for history. Akhmadaliev (7-0, 6 KOs) can equal former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks' record of becoming a men's unified titlist in just his eighth pro fight. He would also be the first unified titlist from Uzbekistan if he beats Roman (27-2-1 10 KOs). "To become a unified champion in just eight fights and the first from Uzbekistan is really some great history for me to make," Akhmadaliev said. "I want to make my country proud."

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer

What a fight!

In the record books for the Uzbek!

Close competitive fight, could've gone either way, I had Roman ahead 116-113 but no real gripes with the result as most rounds were tight, I personally thought Roman was busier, showed more variety, his body work nicked a lot of the rounds on my card, Akhmadaliev looked the part from the outside, some nice movement, landed the looping left hand but too often took too long to get his punches off whilst Roman done most of the punching although he felt short himself a lot


There wasn't many eye catching shots landed by either man especially first half of the fight, I just thought Akhmadaliev getting too much credit for moving well, I think he was maybe mindful of Roman finishing strong as he tends to do, really close fight but Roman unlucky IMO

handsofstone wrote: ↑31 Jan 2020, 04:08 Close competitive fight, could've gone either way, I had Roman ahead 116-113 but no real gripes with the result as most rounds were tight, I personally thought Roman was busier, showed more variety, his body work nicked a lot of the rounds on my card, Akhmadaliev looked the part from the outside, some nice movement, landed the looping left hand but too often took too long to get his punches off whilst Roman done most of the punching although he felt short himself a lot


There wasn't many eye catching shots landed by either man especially first half of the fight, I just thought Akhmadaliev getting too much credit for moving well, I think he was maybe mindful of Roman finishing strong as he tends to do, really close fight but Roman unlucky IMO

Totally agree.

From ESPN

In a spirited action fight, Murodjon Akhmadaliev won a split decision over Daniel Roman to claim Roman's unified junior featherweight world title.

Akhmadaliev won 115-113 on two scorecards, and Roman won 115-113 on the third.

Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6 KOs), who was Roman's mandatory challenger, matched former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks' record of becoming a men's unified titleholder in just his eighth pro fight. Akhmadaliev, who won a bronze medal for Uzbekistan in the 2016 Olympics, also became the first unified titlist from that country.

"I cannot describe what I am feeling," Akhmadaliev said through an interpreter. "I've been through so much in my life. Now I am the first in the history of Uzbekistan to be the unified champion in eight fights. It's something amazing.

"Danny Roman was the most proven 122-pounder in the world. I knew exactly who I was fighting and I was prepared for the best fighter in my division. It was a hell of a fight. He was very sharp."

Roman (27-3-1, 10 KOs), 29, of Los Angeles, was making the fifth defense of his 122-pound title and fighting for the first time since winning an action-packed battle with TJ Doheny, whom he defeated by majority decision to unify two titles, last April. Roman was coming off the longest layoff of his career because of a shoulder injury.

The fight with Akhmadaliev was originally scheduled for Sept. 13 in New York, but Roman's injury forced him to postpone the bout. Akhmadaliev stayed busy that night with a fourth-round knockout of Wilner Soto.

There were questions about whether Roman would go through with the fight, given how dangerous a challenge Akhmadaliev presented. Roman, who had only a six-week training camp because of the injury, could have vacated one of the belts and carried on with his other one, but Roman was determined to prove he was the better man and went through with the fight -- even though there were members of his own team, including trainer Eddie Gonzalez, who thought he would have been better off going in another direction.

"I'm a fighter," Roman said. "I will fight anybody they put in front of me. He was the mandatory. You have to learn how to accept the victory and learn how to accept the defeat as well. I would like a rematch. Why not?"

Akhmadaliev, a southpaw, was aggressive from the outset, marching forward and firing shots, but Roman stood his ground and landed some solid body punches.

Akhmadaliev was the bigger puncher, and landed a hard right hand that seemed to buzz Roman in the fifth round. There was good give-and-take throughout the fight, but Akhmadaliev, 25, seemed to have the better of the action through the first half of the fight. But then Roman, who was cut on his right eyelid, came on in the second half of the fight and had a strong eighth round in which he landed multiple left uppercuts.

There was good action in the 10th round, but Akhmadaliev, who was marked up under his left eye and into a 10th round for the first time in his career, was landing the fiercer power shots.

Roman went after Akhmadaliev in the 12th round after Gonzalez told him in the corner that he was unsure how the fight was going. He threw uppercuts and chased Akhmadaliev around the ring trying to land his best shot, but came up just short on the scorecards.

"It was a close fight. He's a hell of a fighter, a strong fighter," Roman said. "He's a complicated fighter. He was the better man tonight."


Final Punch Stats
-- Courtesy of CompuBox

Roman was unlucky but if the decision had went the other way we would be saying the same thing about Akhmadaliev.
It was just a really close fight.

I had it even.

I'd like to see them each have a return fight, then rematch after that. Though You'd think that if anything it would be MA improving for the rematch

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑31 Jan 2020, 08:03 From ESPN

In a spirited action fight, Murodjon Akhmadaliev won a split decision over Daniel Roman to claim Roman's unified junior featherweight world title.

Akhmadaliev won 115-113 on two scorecards, and Roman won 115-113 on the third.

Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6 KOs), who was Roman's mandatory challenger, matched former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks' record of becoming a men's unified titleholder in just his eighth pro fight. Akhmadaliev, who won a bronze medal for Uzbekistan in the 2016 Olympics, also became the first unified titlist from that country.

"I cannot describe what I am feeling," Akhmadaliev said through an interpreter. "I've been through so much in my life. Now I am the first in the history of Uzbekistan to be the unified champion in eight fights. It's something amazing.

"Danny Roman was the most proven 122-pounder in the world. I knew exactly who I was fighting and I was prepared for the best fighter in my division. It was a hell of a fight. He was very sharp."

Roman (27-3-1, 10 KOs), 29, of Los Angeles, was making the fifth defense of his 122-pound title and fighting for the first time since winning an action-packed battle with TJ Doheny, whom he defeated by majority decision to unify two titles, last April. Roman was coming off the longest layoff of his career because of a shoulder injury.

The fight with Akhmadaliev was originally scheduled for Sept. 13 in New York, but Roman's injury forced him to postpone the bout. Akhmadaliev stayed busy that night with a fourth-round knockout of Wilner Soto.

There were questions about whether Roman would go through with the fight, given how dangerous a challenge Akhmadaliev presented. Roman, who had only a six-week training camp because of the injury, could have vacated one of the belts and carried on with his other one, but Roman was determined to prove he was the better man and went through with the fight -- even though there were members of his own team, including trainer Eddie Gonzalez, who thought he would have been better off going in another direction.

"I'm a fighter," Roman said. "I will fight anybody they put in front of me. He was the mandatory. You have to learn how to accept the victory and learn how to accept the defeat as well. I would like a rematch. Why not?"

"It was a close fight. He's a hell of a fighter, a strong fighter," Roman said. "He's a complicated fighter. He was the better man tonight."

What a classy response from this young man. I’m very impressed with him, I liked him anyway but count me a big fan of his now.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑10 Jan 2020, 14:38

Best Coast wrote: ↑13 Dec 2019, 19:23 Great matchup. Think I'll wait til it gets closer to fight time before making a pick. Looks like a 50-50 fight at this point.

Decided yet?

Yeah, I finally ended up picking Ahmadaliev in PTBF. My actual prediction was MJ by KO11 but Roman has a great chin and was never hurt by any of the Uzbeki's best shots. Great fight and the decision could have gone either way!!