Daniel Roman’s handlers had reservations about him defending his titles against gifted 2016 Olympian Murodjon Akhmadaliev. They were right.
Akhmadaliev defeated Roman by a split decision to take Roman’s two 122-pound titles on the Demetrius Andrade-Luke Keeler card Thursday in Miami, thus equaling Leon Spinks’ feat of becoming a unified champion in only eight fights.
All three scores were 115-113. Two went to Akhmadaliev, one went to Roman, who was making his fifth title defense.
“I was never a world champion as amateur,” an emotional Akhmadaliev said through a translator after the fight. “And Now I’m the first in Uzbekistan to be a world champion. And in only eight fights. That’s amazing.”
Roman (27-3-1, 10 KOs) and Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6 KOs) were supposed to have fought last September but Roman suffered a shoulder injury and the fight was postponed. The shoulder is healed but resulted in a truncated training camp, which lasted only six weeks.
Meanwhile, Akhmadaliev was being hyped as perhaps the next great little fighter, one with unusual natural gifts – speed, athleticism, power – and a strong amateur pedigree.
And, indeed, the Uzbek used those tools to give Roman problems. Akhmadaliev landed quick, punishing shots consistently and was an elusive target because of his quickness and defensive skills.
Still, Roman, a less gifted but determined fighter, managed to score with well-timed body shots and uppercuts that scored points and made it difficult for Akhmadaliev to put punches together that might’ve stopped Roman.
That’s why the back and forth fight was so close on the cards. Of course, that was no solace to Roman.
“You have to learn to accept to victory and accept defeat as well,” he said. “Yes, I would like a rematch. If he gives me a rematch, why not. This loss is only going to make me a better fighter like the two other losses I got.”