Former featherweight world champion Raymond Ford impressed in the super featherweight division, while Filip Hrgovic, Hayato Tsutsumi and local hero Mohammed Alakel won their fights impressively in Riyadh.
Raymond Ford remains on course for super featherweight title
Former featherweight world champion Raymond Ford (18-1-1, 8 knockouts) won clearly on points against Abraham Nova (24-4-1, 17 knockouts) on Saturday night at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On the Itauma-Whyte undercard, the US-American celebrated his third win in a row since moving up to super featherweight (130 lbs).
The judges scored the fight unanimously in Ford’s favor – twice 97-93 and once 96-94. Nova had stepped in at short notice as a replacement opponent after IBF world champion Anthony Cacace had to pull out due to injury.
Filip Hrgovic dominates David Adeleye at heavyweight
In the heavyweight division, Filip Hrgovic (19-1, 14 knockouts) confidently prevailed against David Adeleye (14-2, 13 knockouts). The judges scored the fight 98-91 and twice 99-90. Hrgovic sent the Londoner to the floor with a cracking right hand in the eighth round. Although Adeleye recovered and showed real fighting qualities afterwards, the difference in class was clearly visible over the entire distance.
Hayato Tsutsumi stops Qais Ashfaq early
Japanese super featherweight Hayato Tsutsumi (8-0, 5 knockouts) celebrated a spectacular third round T.K.O. victory over England’s Qais Ashfaq (13-4-1, 5 knockouts). Tsutsumi sent his opponent to the floor a total of three times – the first time with a left to the body in round two. Two more left body punches in round three sealed Ashfaq’s fate. After a heavy hail of punches, the referee finally stopped the unequal fight.
Local hero Mohammed Alakel (5-0) got the boxing evening off to a perfect start. The unbeaten super featherweight from Saudi Arabia defeated the Indian Yumnam Santosh Singh (3-7) by knockout in the first round.