Saunders vs. Khurtsidze: WBO orders fight

Image: Saunders vs. Khurtsidze: WBO orders fight

By Scott Gilfoid: The World Boxing Organization has reportedly ordered WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders (24-0, 12 KOs) to begin negotiations with his #1 mandatory challenger Avtandil Khurtsidze (32-2, 21 KOs), according to Fight News. The promoters for the two fighters have 10 days to try and make a deal. If they fail to do so, then the fight will go to a purse bid.

For Saunders, this is not a good fight for him. The timing is terrible. Saunders was talking earlier this week of a big fight on the horizon, which might actually be true if he wins his title defense against Khurtsidze.

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Julian Williams defeats Marcello Matano

YouTube video

BETHLEHEM, PA. (March 6, 2016) – Julian Williams secured the IBF’s No. 1 position at 154 pounds and called out Junior Middleweight World Champion Jermall Charlo after an impressive seventh-round TKO of Italian Marcello Matano Saturday on SHOWTIME from Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pa. VIDEO OF WILLIAMS CALLING OUT CHARLO: http://s.sho.com/1UJo5bp

The undefeated Philadelphia native put on a clinic, breaking down his opponent from the opening bell until referee Gary Rosato stepped in to protect a defenseless Matano (16-2, 5 KOs) at 2:24 of the seventh. Williams (23-0-1, 14 KOs) utilized a steady diet of combos, jabs and body shots in the middle rounds to weaken Matano and set up the big shots to close the show in the seventh. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: http://s.sho.com/1QzbBBb

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Williams stops Matano; Khurtsidze beats Douglas

Image: Williams stops Matano; Khurtsidze beats Douglas(Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME) By Jeff Arananow: Undefeated #5 IBF, #7 WBA, #7 WBC Julian “J-Rock” Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs) defeated an over-matched but game Marcello Matano (16-2, 5 KOs) by a 7th round technical knockout on Saturday night in their International Boxing Federation 154lb title eliminator bout televised on Showtime from the Sands Bethlehem Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

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N’Jikam defeats Khurtsidze

By Matt Stein: Number #1 ranked WBA middleweight contender Hassan N’Dam (25-0, 17 KO’s) defeated number #2 ranked Avtandil Khurtsidze (22-2-2, 13 KO’s) by a close 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night at Palais des Sports Porte de Versailles, Paris XV, Paris, France. The final judges’ scores were 117-111, 115-114 and 115-114.

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Khurtsidze Stops Bahki, Uzelkov Destroys Varga – Boxing Results

avtandil23By Erik Schmidt: Middleweight contender Avtandil Khurtsidze (19-1-2, 12 KO’s) put on an impressive punching display in stopping Jamel Bahki (19-3-2, 5 KO’s) in a 5th round stoppage on Saturday night at the Sportpalace, in Odessa, Ukraine. Khurtsidze, 25, ranked number #4 in the World Boxing Association middleweight division, swarmed Bahki with punches from rounds two through five, knocking Bahki down once in the 3rd and having him staggering at the end of the 5th.

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