Tajikistan’s Bahodur Usmonov wins WBA Gold title with third-round knockout

Victory over Filipino veteran Albert Pagara positions Usmonov among rising global contenders in lightweight boxing

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — Undefeated Tajik boxer Bahodur Usmonov has claimed the WBA Gold lightweight title after delivering a decisive third-round knockout against seasoned Filipino fighter Albert Pagara during a professional boxing event in the Tajik capital.

The bout, held in front of a regional audience, saw Usmonov dominate from the opening bell. With sustained body attacks and forward pressure, the 26-year-old forced Pagara onto the defensive early. 

The fight ended with a clean body shot at the close of round three, securing a technical knockout and elevating Usmonov’s standing in international rankings. The WBA Gold title places him just below the WBA World Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis in the division hierarchy.

The event in Dushanbe featured multiple international matchups across weight classes, further highlighting Central Asia’s growing role in the professional boxing circuit.

In other notable bouts:

• In the featherweight division (57.2 kg), Tajikistan’s Akmal Ubaidov earned a points victory over Kazakh boxer Yerzhan Zalilov.

• Heavyweight Davlat Boltaev of Tajikistan defeated Cameroonian fighter Zakary-Serge Mvog Amugu via technical knockout in the second round.

• Russian heavyweight Khalidov Murad also secured a second-round TKO win over Uzbekistan’s Mamasoliev Halimjon.

• Russian boxer Evgeny Kohl, a two-time national champion, made his professional debut in the 67 kg category, defeating Uzbekistan’s Fariozbek Khakimov by unanimous decision.

• In the welterweight division (66.7 kg), Russia’s Maxim Chernichuk fought Luxembourg’s Michael King to a draw in their rematch.
  

Usmonov’s win is expected to draw increased attention to the lightweight division and to boxing talent emerging from Central Asia. His record and performance may soon position him for further title contention at the global level.