The Undisputed Super Middleweight title head-to-head between Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin on September 17 has another fight at 168lbs on the card.
Golovkin protégé Ali Akhmedov will face veteran Gabriel Rosado on the same night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and live on DAZN.
The pair will fight for the IBF North American Super Middleweight title on a bill which also features WBC Super Flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
Akhmedov has got back to winning ways in his last two fights since losing by 12th round knockout to Carlos Gongora for the IBO 168lbs strap in December 2020.
The 27-year-old gave this reaction to fighting Rosado in a Matchroom press release.
“I’m happy to be a part of this show on DAZN PPV.”
“It is a great opportunity for me to demonstrate my skills, especially against such seasoned opponent as Gabriel Rosado.”
“Rosado is very experienced and has a history of fighting the best talents in this division which motivates me even more.”
His opponent has fought a who’s who of 160- and 168-pound fighters over the years and reminded everyone of his capabilities last year with a Knockout of the Year contender against Bektemir Melikuziev.
Rosado, who fought Golovkin back in 2013 for the WBA Middleweight title, is hoping to land another world title shot on the back of a win against Akhmedov.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of one of the biggest fight cards of the year. This is an opportunity to do what I did against Bektemir and put myself right back in world title contention!”