Nuaimi floors Barrera; Lasisi and Anwar shine in Rotunda Rumble 3

It was another incredible night of action as the Rotunda Rumble 3 took place in front of a passionate crowd at Caesars Bluewaters in Dubai on Friday.

The massive event was live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV, and featured a number of incredible stoppages and exciting fights.

UAE’s fast-rising boxing talent Sultan Al Nuaimi tasted another success by winning his second bout.

The Emirati went the distance of four rounds against Indonesian Sulis Barrera before landing the bout in his favour.

The 26-year-old from Ajman won the super-flyweight bout 40-36 by unanimous decision.

Last year, making his professional debut, Nuaimi silenced Indonesia’s Charles Latuperissa in one minute and 53 seconds at a super-flyweight category of the Rotunda Rumble 2.

Aliu Bamidele Lasisi successfully defended his WBC International super-flyweight title after a split draw with Norbelto Jiminez, while there were knockout wins for the likes of Cesar Mateo Tapia, Zhan Kossobutskiy and Nurtas Azhhbenov.

Lasisi said: “My opponent was a good fighter who has fought for world titles before but I thought I won the fight. I’m proud that my fans came out and showed me the support.”

Just four months into his budding professional boxing career, India’s Faizan Anwar scored a fifth round TKO against Ghana’s Gideon Agbosu in the super-welterweight bout. Agbosu’s camp stopped the fight before the start of the fifth round.

After all, fighting under the bright lights—and on a global platform—it was a new experience for the Calcutta-born welterweight starlet, who set his pro career in motion in Thailand last December and picked up his second victory at the Round 10 Boxing Club in Dubai last month.

“It’s a surprise for me. Just last December, I transitioned as a pro. Within four months, I’ve got a big opportunity to perform in a big stage to show off my skills. I am happy with the victory,” said Anwar.

India’s Lalrinsanga Tlau won featherweight bout against Tanzanian Haidari Mchanjo 60-54 by unanimous decision.

The 20-year-old, who hails from the north-eastern state of Mizoram, took his unbeaten record to three victories.

Rohan Date had to work hard before overcoming Indonesian Rivo Kundimang in the Welterweight bout. The fight went into the fourth of six rounds before the referee stopped the bout at two minutes and 19 seconds.

Date said: “I was buzzing in the back all day as there are some superstars on this show and I want to be at that level.

“This is the first time I’ve shown everyone what my boxing ability is like and I hope everyone enjoyed it against an opponent who was strong and tough.

“It’s great being out here in Dubai as I’ve got a big fan base here, and MTK Global and Round 10 Boxing are doing fantastic things.”

A big upset on the card saw former world champion TJ Doheny suffer a defeat, as he was beaten by Ionut Baluta.

Meanwhile, the MTKFightNight action returns on Sunday as a massive card takes place at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, with Danny Dignum (12-0, 6 KOs) defending his WBO European middleweight title against Alfredo Meli (17-0-1, 5 KOs) in the main event.

Elsewhere, Sam Gilley (10-0, 5 KOs) takes on Curtis Felix Jr (10-1, 1 KO) for the vacant Southern Area welterweight title, Shaquille Day (13-0, 2 KOs) faces Kaisee Benjamin (9-1-1, 2 KOs), while unbeaten James Hawley (5-0) and Josh Adewale (3-0) also square off.



RESULTS:

Super-flyweight, 4 Rounds: Sultan Al Nuaimi (UAE) beat Sulis Barrera (Indonesia) 40-35 unanimous decision.

Super-welterweight, 6 Rounds: Faizan Anwar (India) beat Gideon Agbosu (Ghana) TKO, fifth round.

Featherweight, 6 Rounds: Lalrinsanga Tlau (India) beat Haidari Mchanjo (Tanzania) 60-54 unanimous decision.

Super-featherweight, 8 Rounds: Nurtas Azhbenov (Kazakhstan) beat JR Magboo (Philippines) TKO, first round (1:07s).

Heavyweight, 8 Rounds: Zhan Kossobutskiy (Kazakhstan) beat Abraham Tabul (Ghana), TKO, second round