This Saturday night, veteran American boxer Gabriel Rosado aims to score another upset as he prepares to face the formidable Uzbek super middleweight puncher Bektemir Melikuziev in a highly anticipated rematch. The two fighters previously collided in 2021, where Rosado rallied back from a first-round knockdown to deliver a stunning one-punch knockout in the third round. Since his loss against Rosado, Melikuziev has quickly claimed victories in his subsequent four bouts, with the last three being concluded in three rounds or less.
Boxing: Super Middleweight
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada
Where to watch: PPV (Showtime/DAZN)
Date: 23.4.2023, 01:00
Bektemir Melikuziev
As an amateur, Bektemir Melikuziev won a silver medal as a Middleweight at the 2016 Summer Olympics. After an amateur career with lots of silverware, the Uzbek Olympian turned pro in 2019 and continued his stellar run in the Middleweight division. Aside from his surprising loss to Gabriel Rosado in 2021, “Bek the Bully’s”’ record reads a sensational eleven wins from twelve fights, with nine wins by knockout. The southpaw is 4-0 since his loss to Rosada and won the vacant WBO Global super-middleweight title early this year with a third-round KO of Ulisses Sierra in January.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 27
- Height: 5’ 9”
- Reach: 70.5”
- Record: 11-1
This is the fight I wanted and the most important fight for me today. This is the fight to right the wrong. I am so lucky to make it on the biggest card of the year. I want to thank my team, my promoter, and of course, Rosado, for giving me this opportunity.
Gabriel Rosado
Gabriel Rosado, 37, competed for a Middleweight world title twice in 2013. Well-known for his resilience and eagerness to fight top-class opponents, he has competed in various weight divisions, including light middleweight, middleweight, and super middleweight. He has claimed several regional titles throughout his career. Some of his top-class opponents include Gennady Golovkin, David Lemieux, and Shane Mosley Jr. A veteran with over forty prof fights; the American pulled out a stunning haymaker from nowhere to hand the Uzbek his first pro loss and win the WBA Continental Americas and vacant WBO International super middleweight titles.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 37
- Height: 5’ 11.5”
- Reach: 71.5”
- Record: 26-16-2 (1NC)
It was tough having the fight against ‘Zurdo’ canceled, but now it’s me versus Bek on the biggest fight card of the year. I’m focused and ready to put Bek back in check. I look forward to being part of a historical fight card, and I plan on dominating ‘The Bully’ once again!
Betting Odds
Bektemir Melikuziev is the overwhelming favorite to win. Risktakers hoping to bank on another stunning one-punch from Rosado can take the 8.50 odds for W2 on Bet365. Gabriel Rosado to win by KO, TKO, or disqualification is priced at 13.00 odds also on Bet 365. Since Bektemir Melikuziev has won his last three fights by knockout, a bet on W1 by KO, TKO, or DQ is priced at 3.2 odds on Coinplay. Fight to go the distance is available at 5.00 odds on 1XBET. The 1XBET sportsbook also has a yes that round 6 will start at 1.65 odds.
