Akhmadaliev crushes Castillo to set up clash with Naoya Inoue

Akhmadaliev, the WBA interim super bantamweight (122 lbs) titleholder, proved too strong and skilled for Castillo. The 30-year-old from Uzbekistan — now based in Indio, California — controlled the fight from the early rounds and ultimately forced Castillo’s corner to throw in the towel at 2:05 of round eight.

The southpaw improved his record to 14 wins (11 by knockout) and just one defeat. This victory also extended his winning streak to three fights since suffering a narrow split-decision loss to Marlon Tapales in 2023 — a defeat that cost him his unified IBF and WBA titles. Inoue later defeated Tapales to become the division’s undisputed champion.

Slow start, strong finish

Despite the pressure of earning a career-defining fight against Inoue, Akhmadaliev opened the bout with a patient and cautious approach. Both fighters exchanged jabs and maintained distance through the early rounds, but it was clear Akhmadaliev was reading his opponent and waiting for the right moment.

Momentum shifted in the fourth round when a body shot dropped Castillo, although it was ruled a slip. Akhmadaliev returned to the body in the fifth, this time landing a clean uppercut that folded Castillo in half for a legitimate knockdown.

The Uzbek continued to apply pressure in the sixth round, scoring another knockdown with a sweeping left hand to the chin. Sensing the end was near, Akhmadaliev picked up the pace in the eighth, landing a powerful right hook that wobbled Castillo. A barrage of straight lefts, right hooks, and a final uppercut left Castillo bloodied and overwhelmed, prompting his corner to stop the fight.

Inoue showdown set

With this commanding performance, Akhmadaliev has earned a long-awaited title opportunity against Naoya Inoue — widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Their bout is scheduled for September 14 in Tokyo, offering Akhmadaliev the chance to reclaim his place at the top of the division and pursue undisputed status.