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Eddie Hearn signs Mick Conlan amateur rival and potential TJ Doheny mandatory


It has been announced tonight that Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev [5(4)-0] has signed with Matchroom Promotions.

The Central Asian super bantamweight has linked up with Eddie Hearn’s outfit alongside Russian powerhouse World of Boxing and will box on the DAZN platform in America.

Akhmadaliev is a former amateur rival and a potential future pro opponent for Ireland’s Mick Conlan in the long term and, more immediately, could be a 2019 opponent for IBF champion TJ Doheny.

The Portlaoise puncher faces WBA champion Danny Roman tomorrow night in Los Angeles and the winner will have two pending mandatories – Japan’s Ryosuke Iwasa, who Doheny dethroned last year, and Akhmadaliev who has raced to #1 spot with the WBA in double-quick time.

The Asian gold and silver, World silver, and Olympic bronze medallist – who infamously knocked down Conlan down in the 2015 World Championships final – only debuted last March but has been matched extremely progressively.

Akmhadaliev has been signed alongside another Uzbek – top welter Shakhram Giyasov [7(6)-0]

The 24-year-old boxes on the same bill as Doheny tomorrow night, facing Carlos Carlson [23(14)-5(2)] over eight rounds.

“I am delighted to be teaming up with Matchroom Boxing USA, DAZN and World of Boxing,” said Akhmadaliev. “I am excited to be in action in Los Angeles tomorrow night and I will be looking to steal the show. I will be very interested in the Roman vs. Doheny fight as I would love to fight the winner of that one.”

The fight with Doheny [21(15)-0] is certainly a possibility if the Laois southpaw can overcome the 5/1 odds tomorrow night.

A clash with Conlan [11(6)-0] is a bit trickier considering the Belfast boxer is aligned to Bob Arum’s Top Rank and ESPN. The Olympic bronze medallist is also currently ranked at featherweight but has revealed recently that a move down to super bantamweight for an imminent title shot could be in the works.

This would, it is assumed considering rankings and promotional arrangements, be for the WBO belt currently held by Mexican Emanuel Navarrete who rematches Isaac Dogboe this summer.

The remaining 122lbs belt, the WBC, is held by Rey Vargas who is promoted by Golden Boy – who also have a working relationship with the DAZN platform

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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