Bektemir ‘The Bully’ Melikuziev and Darius Fulghum delivered a highly anticipated and action-packed bout in Las Vegas last night. The fight lived up to its billing as a world title eliminator, with both competitors displaying immense heart and a refusal to yield.
Ultimately, it was a tough night for Fulghum, who suffered the first defeat of his professional career. Melikuziev’s power proved significant, particularly in the final round where he secured a crucial knockdown. Despite Fulghum`s resilience, Melikuziev appeared to have control for large portions of the contest. All three judges, Tim Cheatham, David Sutherland, and Steve Weisfeld, scored the fight identically at 114-112 in favor of Melikuziev, a score achieved despite Bek having a point deducted for holding in the seventh round.
The victory marks another step forward for Melikuziev, further distancing himself from his unexpected knockout loss in 2021 to Gabe Rosado. His record now stands at 16-1 with 10 knockouts, while Fulghum`s record drops to 14-1 with 12 knockouts. While `DFG` showcased ample talent to suggest he can compete at this elite level again, Melikuziev now solidifies his position as the mandatory challenger for the WBA super-middleweight championship.
With Canelo Alvarez reigning as the undisputed champion and Caleb Plant holding an Interim strap at 168 pounds, the spotlight was on the Virgin Hotels ring. The more experienced Melikuziev set the tone early, effectively landing his powerful left hand as Fulghum adjusted to the step up in competition quality.
After patiently boxing through the initial rounds, Fulghum increased his output and began to find more success in the middle stages of the fight. Referee Thomas Taylor’s point deduction against Melikuziev in round seven injected further drama and provided a glimmer of hope for the well-supported Fulghum.
However, Melikuziev`s cleaner and sharper punches generally gave him the edge on the scorecards. A debilitating combination targeting both the body and head sent Fulghum reeling to the ropes and down for a count in the climactic final round, sealing the victory.
Despite the loss, the experience of going the full 12 rounds will undoubtedly be invaluable for the Houston-based fighter`s development. Melikuziev, meanwhile, will likely turn his attention towards a potential showdown with Caleb Plant as a more immediate next step, rather than challenging the undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez directly.
