World title fight set for Saudi show on March 8
Over the course of Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia has not only gained a reputation and now expectation to deliver the biggest fights in the sport, but also for providing high-quality undercards. As Joshua-Ngannou edges closer, it now seems that another world title bout will be added to the card.
When the undercard was initially announced, the eye-catcher of the bill as Zhilei Zhang’s defence of the WBO interim title against former heavyweight world champion, Joseph Parker, where the winner will likely challenge the victor of Fury-Usyk for the unified world title in 2025. In addition, British featherweight, Nick Ball, will challenge for world honours for the first time in his career, taking on WBC champion, Rey Vargas, in a 50/50 battle that could see Ball announce himself on the world stage.
Esteemed boxing journalist, Jake Donovan, has now confirmed that a WBA super-welterweight title bout between Israil Madrimov (9-0-1) and Magomed Kurbanov (25-0) will be added, ‘pending final approval from the Saudis’.
Glad it’s happening!! Told bout’s placement is pending final approval from the Saudis.
Fight was agreed to months ago; delayed for reasons far beyond their control.
WBA belt at stake means Jermell Charlo has no remaining physical ties to 154, though still @ringmagazine champ. https://t.co/Ver0SyxNQr— Jake Donovan (@JakeNDaBox) February 23, 2024
“Told bout’s placement is pending final approval from the Saudis. Fight was agreed to months ago; delayed for reasons far beyond their control. WBA belt at stake means Jermell Charlo has no remaining physical ties to 154, though still @ringmagazine champ.”
Following an impressive amateur career, Uzbekistan’s Madrimov has lived up to that pedigree since turning professional, with a technical draw to Michel Soro the lone blip on what can be moreorless taken as a perfect record. Meanwhile, Kurbanov is best known to British fans for his victory over Liam Smith in 2021, which many felt he was lucky to get, and this will be his first fight outside of Russia despite 25 prior contests to his name.
As Donovan states, the fight signals the end of the Jermell Charlo reign at 154lbs, after becoming undisputed champion last year.
His WBC belt will be up for grabs when Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1) fights Serhii Bohachuk (23-1) next month, and the IBF crown is on the line when Jack Culcay (33-4) meets Bakhram Murtazaliev (21-0) in Germany in April, whilst Tim Tszyu (24-0) became WBO champion back in October.