The super middleweight division is in a state of flux, and one rising contender is making his move to claim the throne. Bektemir Melikuziev is among the pack of fighters aiming to fill the void left by the retired Terence Crawford and the injured Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, both of whom dominated the division during their undisputed reigns. But here's where it gets interesting: Melikuziev took a significant step forward with a seventh-round TKO victory over Ghana's Sena Agbeko, proving he's a force to be reckoned with.
In a display of power and precision, Melikuziev floored Agbeko with a flush left to the face, followed by another jarring left straight to the nose, sealing the deal with just two seconds left in the round. This win not only boosts Melikuziev's record to 17-1 (11 KOs) but also solidifies his position as the WBA's second-ranked 168-pound fighter, right behind titleholder Jose Armando Resendiz and the legendary Canelo Alvarez. And this is the part most people miss: Melikuziev is openly challenging the winner of the next WBA title fight, declaring, 'I’m knocking on the door, I’m begging. And whoever wins that next WBA [title] fight, I get him.'
But is Melikuziev truly ready for the top spot? While his performance against Agbeko was impressive, it's worth noting that he suffered a gash above his right eyebrow from an accidental head clash in the fourth round, which could be a concern in future bouts. Despite this, Melikuziev maintained his aggression, landing jabs and powerful lefts that had Agbeko on shaky legs by the sixth round. The question remains: Can he handle the pressure of a title fight against the likes of Resendiz or even Canelo, who is scheduled to face Christian Mbilli in September?
Adding to the intrigue, Resendiz is in negotiations with former title challenger Jaime Munguia, and Jermall Charlo is also a potential opponent. This raises a thought-provoking question: Who do you think poses the biggest threat to Melikuziev's title aspirations? Is it Resendiz, Munguia, or perhaps even Canelo himself?
Earlier in the night, middleweight prospect Amari Jones showcased his potential by twice knocking down Luis Arias, forcing Arias' corner to stop the fight after four rounds. Jones, now 16-0 (14 KOs), demonstrated his skill and power, leaving no doubt that he's a contender to watch. Meanwhile, heavyweight Joshua Edwards, a 2024 U.S. Olympian, secured a unanimous decision victory over Brandon Colantonio, though his knockout streak came to an end. Edwards admitted he learned the importance of staying aggressive, saying, 'Go right at him, get it over with.'
In another notable bout, Saudi Arabia's junior lightweight Mohammed Alakel improved to 8-0 with a second-round stoppage of David Calabro. Trained by the renowned Abel Sanchez, Alakel is steadily climbing the ranks, and his confidence is growing with each fight. 'Feeling more comfortable every time I step in the ring,' he said, crediting Sanchez as 'the best in the business.'
As the boxing world continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the super middleweight division is ripe for a new king. Do you think Melikuziev has what it takes to claim the crown, or will another contender rise to the challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments – we want to hear your take on this heated debate!
