No other nation on earth is proportionately putting out elite-level fighters, in both the professional and amateur ranks. Elite level, world champion knockout artists as is Uzbekistan. Countless fighters from the Central Asian country have followed the GGG craze and are emerging as contenders and world champions. None of these upstarts shine brighter than 28-year-old, Elnur Abduraimov. Abduraimov had a spectacular amateur career he won bronze at the 2015 World Amateur Championships and 2015 Asian Championships. He went on to win gold at the 2017 Asian Championships and competed in the Tokyo Summer Olympics. He is now off to a spectacular pro career. After scoring a career-best win over Manuel Correa on the undercard of Canelo-Bivol. He followed it up with a knockout of the year candidate over Leonel Moreno, on this Thursday’s Golden Boy card, scoring a first-round knockout and moving his record to 10-0 (9) and picking up our Prospect of the Month Award for July.
The Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio has become home away from home for the New York-based Uzbek, he made his pro debut at the venue back in 2018 and has fought there now three times and Abduraimov felt comfortable and at home. It will take you far longer to read this Prospect of the Month post than it took Abduraimov to dispose of a typically durable Leonel Moreno. A single, vicious, left hand to the solar plexus dropped Moreno to the canvas, like a building collapsing on itself. Referee Edward Hernandez reached the count of 10 at t 1:14 of the opening stanza on a bout that streamed live on DAZN. That’s the third consecutive stoppage victory for Abduraimov, who has been the distance just once in his 10 pro bouts. Sherzodjon Abdurazzokov was able to last the distance back in 2021.
The 5’7 Uzbek southpaw now fights out of Brooklyn, NY, and has incredible power, footwork, and timing. The undefeated junior featherweight looks to be on the verge of bursting through and becoming a world-class fighter. A step up in his next fight will certainly help get him on the radar a move him closer to a world title fight. Awin over a rugged veteran like Devis Boschiero or Jhonny Gonzalez would be a solid name to add to his resume. However, a bigger challenge may be in order. It is not too soon to start throwing out names like Rene Alvarado or Jono Carroll a win over a name like that is not only a totally winnable fight for the Uzbek but would instantly put Abduraimov in world title contention.
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