Akhmadaliev confirms return after long layoff since Inoue loss

Murodjon Akhmadaliev will return to the ring after an extended absence following his defeat to Naoya Inoue. The former unified bantamweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super bantamweight champion has been inactive while seeking the right opportunity to resume his career.

“I'm happy to be back in the ring. It's been a while, probably longer than I wanted but we were waiting on the right opportunities”

— Murodjon Akhmadaliev, via Ring Magazine

What Murodjon Akhmadaliev said

Akhmadaliev lost his WBA and IBF bantamweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super bantamweight titles to Inoue and has not fought since. The Uzbek southpaw's layoff stretched longer than anticipated as he weighed his options in a division now dominated by his conqueror. Speaking to Ring Magazine, Akhmadaliev addressed the delay and his eagerness to compete again.

What it moves

"I'm happy to be back in the ring. It's been a while, probably longer than I wanted but we were waiting on the right opportunities," Akhmadaliev said. His return sets up a potential climb back towards title contention at bantamweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">super bantamweight, though no opponent or date has been announced.

Source: ringmagazine.com. Full Murodjon Akhmadaliev fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.