WBC International Flyweight Championship

Mekhdi Abdurashedov champion Russia WBC #27

Jackson Chauke challenger South Africa

Winner Chauke by UD12 new champion

Jackson Van Tonder Chauke (South Africa)

Aged 34 19-1-1-, 14 inside

Final Scoring : 96-94 (twice) 97-94

For years – ever since the retirement of the hard-hitting, long-reigning world champion Yuri Arbachakov in 1997 – Russia has been seeking for a dominant flyweight. Chances were that local flyweight Mehdi Abdurashedov could at least try to follow the legendary champion in his giant footsteps. Yet South African Jackson Chauke (19-1-1, 14 KOs) was of a different opinion, as he scored an upset unanimous decision to win the WBC International flyweight title onover the defending champion’s home turf. The 20-year old, who was midst into his school years when Chauke started his recent kayo series, started fast working off the South African’s body and being very aggressive. Chauke, 34, was taking his time, looking for angles for his shots and room for his moves. Abdurashedov tried to prevent him from doing so, but Chauke was very rational, sustaining gross pressure with little damage. From round three, the challenger started to use uppercuts to keep the champion at bay. He landed multi-shot combinations, while Abdurashedov – to the somewhat gross dismay of his coach Andrey “Bupas” Ivichuk – preferred to utilize his head as his primary line of defense. Abdurashedov was always in the fight, tried his best and snatched some rounds at the end – like in the fourth and in the ninth – but Jackson Chauke ultimately prevailed with solid body shots and head blows.

Chauke, also South African national champion, had stopped his previous eight opponents. Congratulations to our judges who did a great and impartial scoring.

When Mekhdi won the vacant belt:

In Grozny City (Chechenya) the vacant WBC International Flyweight Championship took place on Thursday 18 April 2019. Local star Mekhdi Abdurashedov (Russia) TKO’d Uganda’s Frank Kiwalabye to win the vacant belt. The fight ended at 2’58” of round two when the visitor beat the count but shown no intention to proceed.

Mekhdi Abdurashedov The Russian boxing scene is set to have a new wave of great talent, following the old guard of fighters like Denis Lebedev and Alexander Povetkin. One of the new wave is the unbeaten Mekhdi Abdurashedov, who turns 20 before the end of the year. At such a young age it is not easy to know how good he really is, but he looked like a sensation when he stopped Prince Andrew Laurio in 3 rounds and has also impressed in wins over Iwan Zoda and Hugo Hernandez Aguilar. Last April 18 in Grozny he did it again when stopping in two rounds Kiwalabye, with the latter holding a Greater professional record than the Young Russian. It might be a long wait to see Abdurashedov fighting for a world title, but after just 6 fights he already looks like he will, eventually, end up fighting at world level. Let’s wait and see.

Former WBC International champions in this weight class

Ulises LARA, México

Cristofer Rosales, Nicaragua

Andrew SELBY, Wales

Ardin Diale, Philippines

Giemel Abuan Magramo, Philippines

Renz Rowell ROSIA, Philippines

Renan Trongco, Philippines

Rey Megriño, Philippines

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Thailand

Edgar Sosa, México * title definitively relinquished 8 June 2012

Edgar Sosa México * reinstated by President Sulaiman Nov. 9, 2011

Ryan Engalla BITO, Philippines

Sanmuangloei Kokietgym (Sooksan Chaichana), Thailand

Moruti Mthalane, South Africa

Monelisi Mhikiza Myekeni, South Africa

Chatchai Sasakul, Thailand

Alex Ali Baba, Ghana

Diosdado Gabi, Philippines

Richard Clarke, Jamaica

Jaosinthorn Chalermsri, Thailand

Randy Mangubat, Philippines

Jonathan Peñalosa, Philippines

Ngqubela Gwazela, South Africa