Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev will return to the ring on April 8 to defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Bantamweight Super Championship against Marlon Tapales at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. 

The 28-year-old southpaw fighter is also an IBF champion, a title that will be at stake during this bout that will take place in a Matchroom Boxing event. 

Akhmadaliev has not fought since June 2022 when he defeated Ronny Rios in a WBA mandatory fight. The Uzbekistan native has been champion since January 2020, when he defeated Daniel Roman by split decision. Since then he has defended the title three times in good showings that have earned him the top fighter in the division. 

Tapales is Filipino and comes into the world title shot thanks to his position as an IBF mandatory challenger. The 30-year-old veteran has lost just one fight in the last 10 years and has a great opportunity in front of him. 

Akhmadaliev comes into the fight undefeated after 11 professional fights, 8 of them won by knockout. Tapales has 36 wins, 3 losses and 19 wins by way of knockout.