Ergashev publicly calls for world title fight
Earlier this year we saw unbeaten Uzbek Shohjahon Ergashev (18-0, 16) [Шохжахон Эргашев] destroy through Adrian Estrella (29-5, 24). Since then he's been inactive, albeit for some rather obvious reasons.
Recently the fighter took to Instagram sharing some footage of one of his past bouts and added that he was ready for a world title fight.
Although a bit of a forgotten man, when compared to some other Uzbek fighters, Ergashev is certainly in the mix for a world title fight, and is ranked in the top 15 by the WBA, IBF and WBO at Light Welterweight. Sadly however he is on the "wrong side of the street" so to speak, with the main titles all being held by Top Rank Fighters.
Despite his rankings and achievements there has been criticism of him by some fans in Uzbekistan, who feel he has been facing weaker opponents than some of his compatriots, such as Bektemir Melikuziev (5-0, 4) [Бектемир Мелиқўзиев], Israil Madrimov (5-0, 5) [Исроил Мадримов] and unified world champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6) [Ахмадалиев, Муроджон Кахарович].
That criticism has seen Ergashev bite back recent, with the fighter responding to one comment by saying, in Uzbek, "Yeah, my opponents are not boxers, I'm fighting chess players. My next opponent will be a local shepherd. Who are you a fan of?"
It's fair to say that things are frustrating for Ergashev, who looks to be one of the most fun to watch and exciting fighters out there, and whilst it's some what funny to read his comment, it's clear his wait for a world title fight will go on. The champions at 140lbs have mandatories due next and are then expected to unify, which could end up seeing the titles frozen up until the middle of 2021.
There is, potentially, a chance Ergashev could land a fighter with WBA "regular" champion Mario Barrios, though Barrios has himself got a fight lined up for September and is unlike to return to the ring under 2021 after that bout. Barrios was also, previously, ordered to rematch Batyr Akhmedov, which may end up taking place in 2021. This likely means that, at very best, he won't get a shot until next year.
Hopefully in the interim he will fight against someone a bit more testing than a local shepard, and potential clashes with the likes Batyr Akhmedov and Antonio De Marco would certainly be entertaining bouts whilst he waits for a shot at the top.
Recently the fighter took to Instagram sharing some footage of one of his past bouts and added that he was ready for a world title fight.
Although a bit of a forgotten man, when compared to some other Uzbek fighters, Ergashev is certainly in the mix for a world title fight, and is ranked in the top 15 by the WBA, IBF and WBO at Light Welterweight. Sadly however he is on the "wrong side of the street" so to speak, with the main titles all being held by Top Rank Fighters.
Despite his rankings and achievements there has been criticism of him by some fans in Uzbekistan, who feel he has been facing weaker opponents than some of his compatriots, such as Bektemir Melikuziev (5-0, 4) [Бектемир Мелиқўзиев], Israil Madrimov (5-0, 5) [Исроил Мадримов] and unified world champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (8-0, 6) [Ахмадалиев, Муроджон Кахарович].
That criticism has seen Ergashev bite back recent, with the fighter responding to one comment by saying, in Uzbek, "Yeah, my opponents are not boxers, I'm fighting chess players. My next opponent will be a local shepherd. Who are you a fan of?"
It's fair to say that things are frustrating for Ergashev, who looks to be one of the most fun to watch and exciting fighters out there, and whilst it's some what funny to read his comment, it's clear his wait for a world title fight will go on. The champions at 140lbs have mandatories due next and are then expected to unify, which could end up seeing the titles frozen up until the middle of 2021.
There is, potentially, a chance Ergashev could land a fighter with WBA "regular" champion Mario Barrios, though Barrios has himself got a fight lined up for September and is unlike to return to the ring under 2021 after that bout. Barrios was also, previously, ordered to rematch Batyr Akhmedov, which may end up taking place in 2021. This likely means that, at very best, he won't get a shot until next year.
Hopefully in the interim he will fight against someone a bit more testing than a local shepard, and potential clashes with the likes Batyr Akhmedov and Antonio De Marco would certainly be entertaining bouts whilst he waits for a shot at the top.