Tajikistan boxer Bakhodur Usmonov was crowned the World Boxing Association lightweight world champion after winning a knockout victory. (KO) victory over Filipino boxer Albert Pegara.
"Usmonov won the WBA lightweight world title after performing extraordinarily by stopping Pegara in the third round," the WBA reported on the association's official website, which was monitored in Jakarta, Tuesday.
In the match, which took place at the Palace of Tennis and Water Polo in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Usmonov displayed skill and composure from the start.
After an evenly matched opening round, the 2023 IBA World Championships medalist began to assert his dominance in the second, using his reach and punching power to gain momentum in his favor.
In the third round, Usmonov turned up the pressure. Despite the experienced Pagara's best efforts, he could not last much longer.
With just 15 seconds left in the round, Usmonov unleashed a decisive combination that resulted in a knockout and prompted the referee to stop the fight, declaring Usmonov the winner by KO.
