An electrifying evening session at the IBA 2025 World Boxing Championships delivered a masterclass in skill, heart, and raw power, with Uzbekistan emerging as the biggest winners of the day across multiple weight divisions. The session, held across Rings A and B at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, featured technical brilliance, dramatic stoppages, and veteran composure.

Uzbekistan Lead the Charge in Ring A

Opening the Ring A session, welterweight Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev set the tone with a composed 4–1 win over Armen Mashakaryan (IBA-PRO) to reach the quarterfinals. The confident southpaw controlled the fight from the outset, edging the first round 3–2 before sweeping four 10–9 scores in the second. By the final round, Muydinkhujaev shifted gears, widening the gap for a decisive victory.

Olympic gold medalist Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev said: “We will prepare well for every fight, become champions, and return to our homeland with pride. God willing, we will reach the semifinals. I truly appreciate everyone’s support and ask our compatriots to keep standing with us.

Yesterday, there were some team changes, which naturally led to discussions. In boxing — and in sports in general — both victory and defeat are part of the journey. It’s never easy. Our younger teammates are still developing; God willing, they will learn from these experiences, improve themselves, and one day become champions. We’ve lost in the past too, but God blessed us at the Olympics, and I believe He has good things in store for them as well.”

He was soon joined by teammates in a dominant Uzbek showcase.

At light-heavyweight, Javokhir Ummataliev dazzled with slick footwork and clinical punching, earning a clean sweep against Kyrgyzstan’s Omurbek Bekzhigit. Ummataliev’s left cross continually found its mark as the southpaw neutralised his opponent’s aggression with sublime movement.

Reigning World Champion Turabek Khabibullaev also advanced after his opponent, Kalil Paiva Brasil (Brazil), was withdrawn due to an arm injury following a heavy knockdown from Khabibullaev’s sweeping left in Round 1. At just 21, the Uzbek phenom continues to look unstoppable.

Another early stoppage arrived when Arman Makhanov (Uzbekistan) was awarded a unanimous verdict after a head clash ended his bout with Belarus’ Uladzislau Smiahlikau inside a minute.

Cuban Class On Display

Cuba’s multi-decorated legend Julio César La Cruz delivered a vintage 5–0 performance against Senegal’s Karamba Kebe, showcasing the trademark elusiveness and flair that has defined his two Olympic and five World titles.

Fellow Cuban Fernando Alejandro Arzola followed with a win after Spain’s Ayoub Ghadfa suffered a severe bicep injury, ending a promising heavyweight encounter prematurely.

Explosive Knockouts and Tactical Mastery

A series of emphatic displays lit up the rest of the card:

• Loren Alfonso (Azerbaijan) used timing and power to halt Argentina’s Agustin Matias Veron.
• Moldova’s Andrei Zaplitni stunned Kyrgyzstan’s Bakyt Toktosun with a crisp right hand for an early KO.
• Brazil’s Cassio Santos Oliveira showed craft, but Kazakhstan’s Sanatali Toltayev controlled the exchanges for a 5–0 win.
• Uganda’s Bob Gerald Turyatemba imposed a relentless pace to defeat Tunisia’s Zakaria Romdhani, who lost two points for fouls.

At welterweight, Moldova’s Alexandru Paraschiv secured a $10,000 guarantee with a sharp 5–0 win over Mongolia’s Jandos Askhar, while Tajikistan’s Nekruz Salimov closed strong in a 4–1 victory over Arjan Iseni (North Macedonia).

Serbia’s Agejev Artjom impressed with speed and composure in his 5–0 win over Israel’s Daniel Ilyushonok.

Ring B: Drama, Skill, and High Stakes

A thrilling Russia vs. Kazakhstan classic saw Dzhambulat Bizhamov edge Yerassyl Zhakpekov 4–1 after a final-round surge from the Kazakh nearly overturned the tide, including a huge shot that forced an eight-count.

Spain’s Enmanuel Reyes Pla fought through adversity to eliminate Kazakhstan’s Nurmagamed Yussupov with a narrow 4–1 decision.

Kazakhstan’s super-heavyweight Nurlan Saparbay outmanoeuvred Iman Raamezanpourdelvar (IBA-PRO) with sharp counters and timely clinches.

KOs, Walkovers and Rising Names

• Azerbaijan’s Thomas Casazza suffered a knockdown and point deduction before falling 5–0 to Zaur Gahramanov.
• Russia’s Evgenii Kool continued his body-shot demolition streak with a first-round stoppage of Mateus Barbosa Da Costa (Guinea-Bissau).
• Veteran Armenian Hovhannes Bachkov used experience to tame 19-year-old Kyrgyz talent Almaz Orozbekov, winning 5–0.
• Belarus’ Vadzim Vauchko progressed via walkover after Serbia’s Vakhid Abbasov withdrew.

Kenya’s Robert Okaka delivered a statement stoppage over Tunisia’s Youssef Rafrafi, dropping him twice for a TKO.

Australia’s Zachary Brown battled hard despite a knockdown and cuts in a messy bout but lost 4–1 to Armenia’s Artush Hovhannisyan.

Spain’s No. 2 seed Gazimagomed Jalidov forced repeated standing counts to defeat John Didier (St. Lucia), while heavy-hitting Aussie Leo Nicolson delivered another knockout, this time over Armenia’s Narek Manasyan.

Russia’s Muslim Gadzhimagomedov comfortably shut out Cambodia’s Abdulla Rajapov, and Armenian powerhouse Davit Chaloyan scored a 5–0 win over Tajikistan’s Muhammad Abroridinov.

Technical Excellence and Tactical Battles

Kazakhstan’s Serik Temirzhanov produced one of the finest body shots of the day to stop Zambia’s Andrew Chilata in Round 2.

At minimumweight, Uzbekistan’s Shodiyorjon Melikuziev defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Anvarzhan Khodzhiev 5–0, showcasing elite shot selection and control.

Georgia’s Sakhil Alakhverdovi won 5–2 after bout review, and Scotland’s Alan Perrie secured a guaranteed payout via walkover.

Azerbaijan’s Subhan Mamedov, Armenia’s Baregham Harutyunyan, and Brazil’s Arilson Da Silva Goncalves all posted strong wins.

Russia’s Vsevolod Shumkov, Russia’s Ismail Mutsolgov, and Germany’s Davyd Shtepa all advanced with 5–0 shutouts.

Mali’s Djibril Traore survived a high-paced shootout to edge Sri Lanka’s Mohommed Yazmin Usaith 4–3—mirrored moments later as Spain’s Sergio Martinez scored another 4–3 win over Tajikistan’s Shokhobzhon Shukurov.

Turkmenistan’s Dovlet Yslamov overwhelmed Uganda’s Sabbath Mark Ziikama for a first-round stoppage.

Azerbaijan’s Mahammad Abdullayev closed the super-heavyweight slate with a dominant 5–0 performance over Mvogo Amougou Comoros.

Closing Contests and Final Highlights

At lightweight, Uzbekistan’s highly decorated Abdumalik Khalokov delivered a polished 5–0 win over Spain’s Enrique Kakulov, reinforcing his status as one of the most technically complete boxers in the tournament.

Kazakhstan’s Temirtas Zhussupov prevailed 4–0 against India’s unorthodox Devendra Singh Solanki (IBN-India) in a bout full of aggression and unorthodox angles.

Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Erkinboev outboxed Armenia’s Vakhtang Harutyunyan at middleweight, while teammate Sabirzhan Akkalykov earned a 5–0 tactical win over New Zealand’s Tawhirimatea Toheriri-Hallett.

Russia’s Edmond Khudoian, Australia’s Kobe Hunt, and Nepal’s Lal Prasad Upreti all advanced at minimumweight.

Azerbaijan’s Mahammadali Ashiraliyev, Latvia’s Matvejs Prokudins, Armenia’s Artur Bazeyan, and Azerbaijan’s Saidjamshid Jafarov delivered decisive lightweight victories.

Colombia’s Juan Camilo Gonzales (IBN-Colombia) was outscored by Israel’s Miroslav Kapuler Ishchenko, who controlled with an accurate jab.

At super-heavyweight, Kyrgyzstan’s Myrzakir Koshaliev defeated New Zealand’s George Hola, and Russia’s David Surov ended the session with a clean 5–0 win over Ariitea Yannick Putoa (French Polynesia).