La Cruz, Khataev Biggest Winners in IBA Champion's Night in Thailand

By Carlos Costa

PHUKET, Thailand — Cuban Heavyweight Julio La Cruz, the 2-time Olympic Gold and 5-time Amateur World Champion, dropped down tough Cuban-born Spaniard Enmanuel Reyes of La Coruña en route to a unanimous decision win tonight in the main event of the “IBA Champion’s Night” here in the paradise island of Phuket, in the Kingdom of Thailand.

In the co-feature, Russian light heavyweight warrior 2023 World Championships Bronze Medalist Imam Abdulayevich Khataev of Chechnya outboxed, out-landed and decisioned Cuban 2-time Olympic Medalist Arlen López Cardona, a fight in which Khataev’s relentless pressure paid dividends.

Also in the show, Olympic Gold Medalist Hasanboy Dusmatov scored a unanimous decision win over Spaniard Flyweight 2023 World Championships Bronze Medalist Martín Molina Salvador. It was a clash in which Molina Salvador was game and skilled, however, Dusmatov’s continuous well-placed power shots made the difference.

In another high-level battle, 22-year-old 2023 IBA Men’s Welterweight World Champion Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev of Uzbekistan outpointed Dulat Bekbauov of Taraz, Kazakhstan.

In women’s action, skilled and strong 19-year-old Megan de Cler of Holland outclassed taller Mexican Zacateca warrior girl Guadalupe “Lupita” Altagracia Solis Acosta in 5 frames to claim a unanimous decision win.

Further in the show, cute 27-year-old Middleweight Valentina Khalzova of Kazakhstan scored the hardest, more telling blows on her way to a clear unanimous decision win over Turkish veteran Elif Guneri.

In attendance in ringside today in Phuket, Thailand, were IBA Secretary General Chris Roberts, Devraj Das of Mumbai, India, and legendary Hall of Fame champion Roy Jones Jr., among others.

Another important event in the IBA calendar will be the 2023 IBA Junior World Boxing Championships, unfolding in November in Mexico.

The author senior boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama was ringside in Phuket. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com.