L.A. Fight Results: Akhmedov Keeps WBA Inter-Continental Title

LOS ANGELES-Russia’s Batyr Akhmedov survived a knockdown and mounted a furious rally to retain the WBA Inter-Continental super lightweight title by knockout of Ismael Barroso in a battle between southpaws on Saturday evening.

It was Akhmedov’s first defense of the title.

Despite only five total pro fights Akhmedov (5-0, 4 KOs) kept a hold on the title with a ninth round knockout of Venezuela’s Barroso (20-3-2, 19 KOs) at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. It was not televised.

Trained by Joel Diaz in Indio, the Russian boxer was floored by Barroso with a counter left cross in the third round during a savage exchange of blows. He managed to survive by relying on his amateur style of running side to side. But that amateur style is what got him in trouble in the first place. During the exchange he went straight back and was caught with a long left counter.

Diaz warned him of moving straight back and loudly told him to stay in a low crouch. The tactics worked.

Akhmedov, 27, began attacking more aggressively and staying in the pocket longer. Slowly but surely he began mounting points round by round with quick combinations and effective lead left crosses. He gained confidence in every round.

Barroso, 35, was always dangerous in the title fight and though Akhmedov was winning every round after being dropped, each round saw both show dangerous speed and power in their blows.

In the ninth round Barroso looked to turn things around but was met with a strong left to the body and down he went for the count at 1:06 into the round. Akhmedov won by knockout and retains a hold on the WBA title.

Other Bouts

Pomona’s Israel Mercado (5-0) knocked out Thomas Herrera (9-20-1) at 19 seconds into the fourth round in a lightweight match. Four consecutive overhand rights floored the rugged Herrera and down he went.

Philippine’s John Lee Dato (6-0-1) ended the four round fight against Michael Gaxiola (4-16) with a rapid-fire eight punch combination that forced referee Sharon Sands to stop the featherweight contest at 1:47 of the fourth round.

Bakersfield’s Giovanni Noriega (2-2-1) knocked out debuting Joel Bermudez (0-1) at 2:11 of the first round. A counter right floored East L.A.’s Bermudez early in the round and he beat the count. But another right cross and two more blows staggered Bermudez again and referee Lou Moret stopped the fight giving Noriega the win by knockout.

Debuting heavyweights were evenly matched and proved it as Siala Siliga (0-0-1) and Mark Bradford (0-0-1) both knocked each other down in a four round fight. Bradford scored the first knockdown in the first round with a counter right cross. Then, Siliga scored a knockdown with a left hook in the third round. All three judges scored it 37-37 for a draw.

A super welterweight match saw Bertin Ngnibogha (2-0) defeat Bakersfield’s Derrick Clayton (1-2) by decision after four action packed rounds. Clayton showed a good chin in absorbing numerous overhand rights. Though Clayton has a strong left jab he took too many blows from Ngnibogha who was able to use his legs to move in and out of trouble.

Escondido’s Jonathan Espino (2-2) floored L.A.’s Arthur Saakyan (3-1) in the first round with a counter left hook during an exchange of blows. Saakyan beat the count. In the second round Saakyan tried to mount a rally and was met with a counter right cross and his legs wobbled badly. Referee Lou Moret stopped at the fight at 1:27 of the second round.

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