Murodjon Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) moved a step closer to a blockbuster showdown with modern legend Naoya Inoue by impressively halting Mexico’s Ricardo Espinoza Franco (30-5, 25 KOs) in three rounds to win the vacant interim WBA Super-Bantamweight World Title at Salle Des Étoiles at Sporting Monte-Carlo last night – live on DAZN.

“Thank you, Monaco, and thank you to my fans from Uzbekistan who came to support me,” said Akhmadaliev. “Thank you to everybody. I missed the ring very much. I’m very happy.

“The only thing I want to say about Naoya Inoue is, ‘why are you ducking me?’. If he doesn’t want to fight me, then he just needs to explain, because when I was a champion, I followed the rules. He should follow the rules as well. I had mandatories and I was fighting them without any discussions.

“So, I need an explanation, because I am here and ready for the fight. The best should be fighting the best. I am a mandatory and interim champion. He should prove that he is the best in his division. He is a legend. He should prove it as well. Let’s go Naoya Inoue! I am ready! USA, Japan, Monaco, anywhere, any time!”

France’s Leonardo Mosquea (16-0, 9 KOs) outpointed England’s Cheavon Clarke(10-1, 7 KOs) over 12 gruelling rounds in a battle of undefeated Cruiserweights to earn the vacant EBU European Title – dropping ‘C4’ in the opening round on route to inflicting a first career defeat on his opponent.

“For me this win represents so much,” said Mosquea. “It represents all of the work we have been putting in over the years, step by step, getting the French Championship, the European Silver belt and now the EBU European Title. This is all part of the journey, and it isn’t finished yet. We’ve still got a long way to go. We’re going to get to the very top.

“I’ve just got to thank my team. I have an amazing team. They’ve given me so much support. All of my sparring partners who have gone through so many long rounds with me. Thank you to all of you who support me from afar and those of you watching on TV wherever you may be. Together we are going to go for even more.

“For me, I think first and foremost it was the punch in the head, and then secondly because of my speed. I think I surprised him right at the start of the fight. Obviously, he’s got a hard punch. I know that now. But I’ve got one too and he knows that now. I think right from the start I got his respect and that’s what really counted. From then on I was in his head.

“My son and my daughter are here. My wife is here too. They are with me and they have been with me since the very start. We’re going to continue on this journey together because every day they are the ones who give me strength in the hardest moments.”

Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira (6-0, 2 KOs) successfully defended her IBF Lightweight World Title for the first time against France’s Licia Boudersa (23-3-2, 4 KOs) – dominating the former European Champion over ten rounds to move to 6-0 (2 KO’s) with scores of 100-90 (x3).

“I thought it was a good performance,” said Ferraira. “I’m still finding my rhythm in the professional game. I was really happy with my preparation for the fight and the performance was good. But of course, I am still improving. I have got a great team here and I really trust in them. I’m going to carry on in this division and dominate it.

“My aim is to win more belts. I’m here in this division and I’m looking for the belts. All of the other women in this division get prepared because I’m here and I’m after you, I’m coming for your belts! I love challenges. I’m ready for everyone.”

Rossington’s Maxi Hughes (28-7-2, 6 KOs) ripped the WBA Continental Lightweight Title from Ireland’s Gary Cully (18-2, 10 KOs) with a superb ten-round shutout points win – badly cutting his opponent above the left eye.

“I’m so proud of everybody for coming out and making that noise,” said Hughes. “They’ve followed me to Oklahoma, Las Vegas, Sheffield and now we’re a week away from Christmas and they’re in the most expensive place in the world. Love to you all and I’m glad I go this win for you. As much as it’s for me, it’s for you lot as well. I think my little girl who is 6 now, I think her Nan let her stay up for this. So hopefully I haven’t bored her. But that one is for my little girl watching at home.

“I just told Eddie I’m 35 next and I feel as fresh as ever. I think I’m just getting going a bit at this boxing. I think I might have a bright future. That fight with Gary, it has been four or five years in the making. Respect to him, but, if you want to run with the dogs, you can’t be pissing like a puppy.

“Everything we’ve worked towards. It’s been a tough camp. Eddie was at my last fight. That fight was on a Friday, and I was straight back Monday, not just ticking over but training for a fight because I wasn’t happy with my performance. There’s still plenty of fight in this dog. I had a horrendous virus and I was close to pulling out of this fight, but I listened to Sean (O’Hagan) and he knows me so well. He knows what to say at the right times. It’s all through experience and that’s what got me through. This belt is Reece Mould’s, so I owe it to Reece.”

Australian Heavyweight hope Teremoana Teremoana started life as a Matchroom fighter with a bang as he wiped out Ukraine’s Volodymyr Katsuk (5-2, 2 KOs) inside the opening round to progress to 5-0 with 5 knockouts.

“First of all I want to give all glory to my lord and saviour Jesus Christ,” said TeremoanaJr. “I’m a little bit disappointed with that performance. I wanted to be a bit more clean, but I think my emotions took over me. This fight tonight is dedicated to my uncle. He always wanted me to take out everyone in the first round. This one was a little bit emotional for him, but after this I’m going to take over and show a bit more of my boxing skills.

“Well I got in there and when he was throwing his punches he was throwing them half hearted. From there I knew I was going to win. My punches were hurting him, and he didn’t want to be there. His heart wasn’t there tonight but good on him. He done himself proud so thank you.

“What I bring to this Heavyweight division is I bring the whole Pacific Island with me. I stand here on behalf of Australia, on behalf of the Cook Islands – I’m just representing who I am. I’m just here and I’m going to enjoy my whole journey and my time. All the way up until the top where I become Heavyweight Champion of the World.”