A former unified titleholder continues his quest for a second reign as a two-time Olympic medalist looks to resume her professional career.
Murodjon ‘MJ’ Akhmadaliev and Beatriz ‘The Beast’ Ferreira will anchor Matchroom Boxing’s annual show in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Uzbekistan’s Akhmadaliev vs. Mexico’s Ricardo Espinoza for the interim WBA junior featherweight title. Brazil’s Ferreira attempts her first IBF lightweight title defense against France’s Licia Boudersa.
Both matches will be broadcast live as part of a four-fight DAZN show on December 14 from Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo.
“I can’t wait to return to breathtaking Monte-Carlo for a great night of World Championship boxing,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two exciting world title clashes, a European title showdown between two hungry unbeaten contenders and a big game between Ireland and England.
“Monte-Carlo Showdown V has something for everyone!”
For Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 knockouts), that “something” is a consolation prize.
2016 Olympic bronze medalist and former WBA/IBF 122-pound titleholder remains WBA mandatory challenger Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs). His plea to enforce that status fell on deaf ears. Instead, Inoue will defend his RING/undisputed 122-pound championship against IBF no. 1 contender Sam Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) on December 24 in Tokyo.
Fortunately for Akhmadaliev, the WBA is now fully back in the interim title business. Such a belt will be up for grabs in this show’s main event. The fight will be Akhmadaliev’s first in exactly 52 weeks. His last ring performance was a sixth-round knockout over Kevin Gonzalez in their WBA title eliminator on December 16 in Phoenix, Arizona.
“I’m happy to go back to work,” Akhmadaliev said. “That pound-for-pound star (Inoue) doesn’t seem ready for big challenges. He can keep running away, but I’ll get what should be mine anyway.
“MJ is back in business and December will be hot!”
Franco (30-4, 25 KOs) is undefeated in his last six starts since a May 2021 loss to Roman.
In the co-feature, Ferreira (5-0, 2 KOs) returns as a pro for the first time since her IBF title on April 27 over Yanina del Carmen Lescano. The hope was that Ferriera would become the first fighter to win a major pro title and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
Ferreira settled for Bronze in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was once again defeated by eventual gold medalist Kellie Harrington to end that dream. Ferreira claimed Olympic silver after losing to Harrington in the finals of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
With Paris and the amateur scene behind her, Ferreira is now moving forward with her promising professional career.
“I am very excited to be back in the ring and make the first defense of my World Title in Monte-Carlo,” said Ferreira. “I am very proud to finish my Olympic journey as a two-time medalist. From now on my focus is 100% on the professionals.
“I am excited about this next phase in my career and dedicate myself fully to professional boxing.”
Amazingly, Boudersa (23-2-2, 4 KOs) is fighting for a recognized major title for the first time in her nine-year professional career.
That statistic is almost unheard of on the women’s side of boxing. Fighters like Ferreira have become the norm to chase a title.
Boudersa has fought exclusively in France, but is making a relatively short trip north to Monte Carlo for this event. The 32-year-old from Lille is also fighting for the fourth time in 2024.
“My opponent is very experienced and has won many titles in the past,” admitted Ferreira. “So I’m looking forward to the challenge and then I hope to move into big unification fights and add more World Titles in 2025.”
Also on the program:
Chev Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) meets undefeated Frenchman Leonardo Mosquea (15-0, 9 KOs) for the vacant EBU European Cruiserweight title.
Gary Cully (18-1, 10 KOs) faces lightweight gatekeeper Maxi Hughes (27-7-2, 6 KOs) in an intriguing Ireland-England bout scheduled for ten rounds.
