BoxRec

Soro-Madrimov: Matchroom Boxing Wins Purse Bid For WBA Title Eliminator

Israil Madrimov is on the fast track to a major title and with his entire team on board with such plans.

Matchroom Boxing claimed promotional rights to an ordered WBA junior middleweight title eliminator between Uzbekistan’s Madrimov (7-0, 5KOs) and former secondary titlist Michel Soro (35-2-1, 24KOs) after winning a purse bid hearing conducted Wednesday from WBA headquarters in Panama City. Matchroom submitted a bid of $245,000, outpacing Yohan Zauoi who bid $217,700 on behalf of Y12 Management.

France’s Soro is entitled to 60% of the total purse bid amount ($147,000) as the higher-ranked contender. Madrimov—who is promoted by Matchroom and managed by Vadim Kornilov—will receive the remaining $98,000 or 40% of the bid amount.

Madrimov emerged as a top contender in the WBA junior middleweight rankings following a twelve-round, unanimous decision win over Eric Walker last August. The win marked his sixth in the United States in as many pro fights to that point. In his most recent start, Madrimov returned to his home country in claiming a ten-round shutout win over then-unbeaten Emmany Kalombo this past April 3 in Tashkent, Ukraine.

The same city was listed as one of three potential locations where Matchroom plans to stage the event, pending a follow-up session to further clarify the purse split. Matchroom has also cited Las Vegas and Cleveland as potential hosting cities, with all three locations aimed for a December 11 fight date.

Had Y12 Management won the purse bid, the targeted dates were November 20 in Paris and November 27 in Marseille, France. Either location would have provided a geographical edge for Soro, who is based out of Villeurbanne and with all but four pro fights having taken place in France.

The former secondary WBA junior middleweight titlist is currently riding a five-fight win streak since a twelve-round, split decision defeat to Brian Castano in their July 2017 WBA interim title fight. Castano has since claimed the WBO belt, while Soro has continued to pursue a shot at the WBA title. His progress has been stalled since the pandemic, having not fought since a fifth-round knockout of Cedric Vitu in their November 2019 WBA “Gold” regional title fight in Paris.

The winner of the ordered fight will become the WBA mandatory challenger to current lineal/WBA/WBC/IBF junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo (34-1-1, 18KOs).

Per terms of the purse bid, Matchroom Boxing has twenty (20) days to provide signed contracts from both boxers with a confirmed fight date.

Soro-Madrimov: Matchroom Boxing Wins Purse Bid For WBA Title Eliminator

Israil Madrimov is on the fast track to a major title and with his entire team on board with such plans.

Matchroom Boxing claimed promotional rights to an ordered WBA junior middleweight title eliminator between Uzbekistan’s Madrimov (7-0, 5KOs) and former secondary titlist Michel Soro (35-2-1, 24KOs) after winning a purse bid hearing conducted Wednesday from WBA headquarters in Panama City. Matchroom submitted a bid of $245,000, outpacing Yohan Zauoi who bid $217,700 on behalf of Y12 Management.

France’s Soro is entitled to 60% of the total purse bid amount ($147,000) as the higher-ranked contender. Madrimov—who is promoted by Matchroom and managed by Vadim Kornilov—will receive the remaining $98,000 or 40% of the bid amount.

Madrimov emerged as a top contender in the WBA junior middleweight rankings following a twelve-round, unanimous decision win over Eric Walker last August. The win marked his sixth in the United States in as many pro fights to that point. In his most recent start, Madrimov returned to his home country in claiming a ten-round shutout win over then-unbeaten Emmany Kalombo this past April 3 in Tashkent, Ukraine.

The same city was listed as one of three potential locations where Matchroom plans to stage the event, pending a follow-up session to further clarify the purse split. Matchroom has also cited Las Vegas and Cleveland as potential hosting cities, with all three locations aimed for a December 11 fight date.

Had Y12 Management won the purse bid, the targeted dates were November 20 in Paris and November 27 in Marseille, France. Either location would have provided a geographical edge for Soro, who is based out of Villeurbanne and with all but four pro fights having taken place in France.

The former secondary WBA junior middleweight titlist is currently riding a five-fight win streak since a twelve-round, split decision defeat to Brian Castano in their July 2017 WBA interim title fight. Castano has since claimed the WBO belt, while Soro has continued to pursue a shot at the WBA title. His progress has been stalled since the pandemic, having not fought since a fifth-round knockout of Cedric Vitu in their November 2019 WBA “Gold” regional title fight in Paris.

The winner of the ordered fight will become the WBA mandatory challenger to current lineal/WBA/WBC/IBF junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo (34-1-1, 18KOs).

Per terms of the purse bid, Matchroom Boxing has twenty (20) days to provide signed contracts from both boxers with a confirmed fight date.

This is one heck of an eliminator. Going for that horse of Madrimov.

When's the fight???

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Nov 2021, 07:29 When's the fight???

Next month on an Uzbekistan card that Matchroom are doing.

Helluva fight. Soro's inactivity is a worry but I'm a big fan. If he's in shape, then I'm picking him to win. He's a different level to Eric Walker.

Nice fight to get by Eddie.

Press Release

Israil Madrimov can take a step closer to achieving his World Title dream when he faces Michel Soro in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight crown on another huge night for Uzbekistan boxing at the Renaissance Hall in Tashkent on Friday December 17, with all of the action shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Madrimov (7-0, 5 KOs), the No.2 ranked Super-Welterweight with the WBA, outpointed the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Emmany Kalombo, who had won all fourteen of his professional contests inside the distance before facing ‘The Dream’, last time out at the Humo Arena in Tashkent on the undercard of Murodjon Akhmadaliev’s win over Ryosuke Iwasa.

France’s Soro (35-2-1, 24 KOs) is ranked No.1 in the world at 154lbs with the WBA and secured mandatory status in 2018 with a two-round wipe-out of the USA’s Greg Vendetti. The reigning WBA Gold World Super-Welterweight Champion scored a pair of knockouts over his compatriots Anderson Prestot and Cedric Vitu in 2019 but hasn’t fought since.

Uzbekistan’s undefeated Super-Lightweight star Shakhram Giyasov (11-0, 9 KOs) returns to action against Argentina’s Cristian Rafael Coria (29-8-2, 13 KOs) after successfully defending his WBA International Title with a third-round stoppage win over Patricio Lopez Moreno in April.

2016 Olympic Champion Hasanboy Dusmatov (3-0, 3 KOs) fights for the second time in 2021 against Mexico's Jose Rivas (18-12-4, 10 KOs) following his impressive two-round demolition job on Muhsin Kizota to capture the WBA International Light-Flyweight Title in just his third outing in the professional ranks.

Tashkent’s own Dilshodbek Ruzmetov makes his professional debut at Light-Heavyweight, undefeated Lightweight Elnur Abduraimov (7-0, 6 KOs) continues his journey in the pros and Super-Welterweight prospect Ikboljon Kholdarov (1-0) looks to build on his pro debut win back in April and Super-Middleweight Bektemir Melikuziev (7-1, 6 KOs) looks to bounce back from his first career loss to Gabriel Rosado in June.

“We're bringing DAZN back to Uzbekistan,” said Madrimov. “I'm happy to fight in Uzbekistan in front of my people. Fighting Soro is a big and very important step towards my goal. I rate him as the best Super-Welterweight who doesn't hold the belt. It will be exciting fight for the fans worldwide.”

"I am looking forward to December 17, when I will take my final step before challenging for the World Title,” said Soro. “My opponent Israil Madrimov deserves respect as he has the courage to face me with only 7 professional fights behind him. But I am ready to beat anyone, anywhere. I will prove it on December 17, and I will prove it again when I become World Champion."

“We are delighted to be returning to Uzbekistan for another huge night of boxing following our World Championship card at the Humo Theatre back in April headlined by Murodjon Akhmadaliev,” said Frank Smith, Matchroom Boxing CEO. “This time it’s ‘The Dream’ Israil Madrimov who brings big time boxing back to his homeland as he faces Michel Soro in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight World Title.

“Madrimov vs. Soro is part of a stacked December for us on DAZN that gets underway in Bilbao this Friday as Kerman Lejarraga defends his European Super-Welterweight crown against Jack Flatley. Then it’s over to Las Vegas the following evening for Devin Haney’s defence of his WBC Lightweight World Title against Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Diaz Jr. We end the year with a bang in the UK as Conor Benn and Katie Taylor headline in Liverpool on Saturday December 11 and the following week it’s the massive rematch between Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora."

"We and our partners are always looking to bring top tier boxing action to nations across the world, and we are excited to be in Uzbekistan once again on December 17," said said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. " Madrimov vs. Soro will be a cracking fight and will kick off a stacked weekend of boxing which includes Parker vs. Chisora and Ramirez vs. Gonzalez, live worldwide on DAZN."

this is a seriously good fight, big ass step for madi

wish the other uzbek talents were matched more competitively though, then might have one of those russian super card vibes to it

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑02 Dec 2021, 06:59 this is a seriously good fight, big ass step for madi

wish the other uzbek talents were matched more competitively though, then might have one of those russian super card vibes to it

This years December is arguably the best December we've had for a looong time isn't it?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑02 Dec 2021, 07:11

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑02 Dec 2021, 06:59 this is a seriously good fight, big ass step for madi

wish the other uzbek talents were matched more competitively though, then might have one of those russian super card vibes to it

This years December is arguably the best December we've had for a looong time isn't it?

Yep - although I’m disappointed we’re not getting the Golovkin fight. It’s amazing that it’s a really good month of boxing yet there’s no U.K. Sky show - would have been even better if we’d had Josh Taylor and/or the Williams/Eubank fight.

maverick23 wrote: ↑03 Dec 2021, 08:28

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑02 Dec 2021, 07:11

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑02 Dec 2021, 06:59 this is a seriously good fight, big ass step for madi

wish the other uzbek talents were matched more competitively though, then might have one of those russian super card vibes to it

This years December is arguably the best December we've had for a looong time isn't it?

Yep - although I’m disappointed we’re not getting the Golovkin fight. It’s amazing that it’s a really good month of boxing yet there’s no U.K. Sky show - would have been even better if we’d had Josh Taylor and/or the Williams/Eubank fight.

Yes, these two would have been good.

TBH, It was a bit too loaded, we had cards clashing which I don't like.

Fight Week!

the boxing gawds cancelled egorov-arsen, kurbanov-tex at last minute.................both good fights. i f@cking hope this one goes ahead, i love it

Weights: Madrimov: 153.8 lbs – Soro: 153.4 lbs – Watch LIVE on DAZN at 10 am ET

Card will start at 3pm UK time.

7. WBA #2 Israil Madrimov (7-0, 5 KOs) 153.8 vs. WBA #1 Michel Soro (35-2-1, 24 KOs) 153.4 – 12 rounds in the WBA light middleweight eliminator

6. WBA #7 / IBF #11 Shakhram Giyasov (11-0, 9 KOs) 143 vs. Christian Rafael Coria (29-8-2, 13 KOs) 143.8 – 10 rounds

5. WBA #4 Hasanboy Dusmatov (3-0, 3 KOs) 107.2 vs. Jose Rivas (18-12-4, 10 KOs) 107.8 – 10 rounds for the WBA International light flyweight title

4. Bektemir Melikuziev (7-1, 6 KOs) 173 vs. Sergey Ekimov (18-3, 9 KOs) 176.8 – 8 rounds

3. Elnur Abduraimov (7-0, 6 KOs) 130 vs. Jhon Ghemino (22-12-1, 12 KOs) 130 – 10 rounds

2. Ikboljon Kholdarov (1-0, 1 KO) 152 vs. Dmitry Miliusha (9-5-1, 4 KOs) 153 – 6 rounds

1. Dilshodbek Ruzmetov (debut) 171 vs. Maxim Smirnov (8-10-3, 4 KOs) 174 – 6 rounds

The event starts at 5:45 PM LT. DAZN starts airing at 8 PM LT from the fourth fight of the event.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑17 Dec 2021, 06:08 Card will start at 3pm UK time.

Date: Friday December 17, 2021
Location: Renaissance - Tashkent, Uzbekistan
TV: DAZN

Start Times
DAZN: 10 am ET | 7 am PT | 3 pm GMT | 8 pm (local) (Main Card)

Promoted by: World of Boxing Promotions & Matchroom Boxing

Main Card

12 Round WBA Super-Welterweight title Eliminator
Israil Madrimov vs. Michel Soro

10 Round Welterweight Bout
Shakhram Giyasov vs. Cristian Rafael Coria

10 Round Light-Flyweight Bout
Hasanboy Dusmatov vs. Jose Rivas

8 Round Light Heavyweight Bout
Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sergei Ekimov

Light-Heavyweight Bout
Dilshodbek Ruzmetov vs. Maxim Smirnov

Lightweight Bout
Elnur Abduraimov vs. Jhon Gemino

Super-Welterweight Bout
Ikboljon Kholdarov vs. Dzmitry Miliusha

I'll probably catch up with this on DAZN later

Melikuziev takes a comfortable decision win against a durable but ambitionless Ekimov, some decent body work from Bully but didn't create enough openings to get Ekimov out of there, never straightforward against that type of opponent to be fair.

Nick Halling is pretty annoying like Arthur on comms though.

Giyasov just got dropped in R2 and it wasn't given as a KD, looked a little hurt too after dominating previously.