Artur Subkhankulov handed Bakhodur Usmonov his first defeat in an entertaining IBF lightweight eliminator in the main event at IBA Pro 17 last night in Ufa, Bashkortostan.
Appearing in front of a passionate home crowd, Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs) cemented his position as the number two ranked contender in the IBF lightweight rankings, securing a late twelfth round finish against brave the Usmonov, who’s record moves to 12-1 (5 KOs).
The bout set fire from the start, with Usmonov looking to assert himself with heavy pressure in the opening round. However, Subkhankulov’s left hand found the target on multiple occasions in the third round, rocking the undefeated Tajik consistently. Usmonov responded with activity fourth round, trading the momentum of the session with Subkhankulov in at times a highly tactical encounter.
Usmonov hit the canvas following a period of success in previous rounds, turning the tide of the fight. As the two men traded Subkhankulov sent his opponent to the canvas twice. Another knockdown followed at the beginning of the eleventh, with Subkhankulov spending the remainder of the frame hunting for the stoppage.
The finish came in the twelfth, with Subkhankulov scoring the fourth knockdown of the fight before the referee waved the contest off with Usmonov on unsteady legs and falling into the ropes.
Subkhankulov records the most impressive victory on his resume, moving within one fight of a shot at IBF world champion Raymond Muratalla. Usmonov goes back to the drawing board after a grueling late stoppage defeat.
