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In the main event of what was
unquestionably the most
anticipated and significant
boxing event in Georgia in
recent years, World Boxing
Federation (WBF) World Super
Welterweight Champion Lasha
Gurguliani retained his title
for the first time on Sunday,
January 26, at the Vere
Basketball Hall in Tbilisi.
In front of a packed and lively
crowd, Gurguliani (29), who won
the WBF world title last May
when he scored a unanimous
decision over Andreas Valavanis
in Egypt, fended off the
challenge of game but
out-skilled Mexican Edgar
Ortega.
While Ortega (29) always looked
for opportunities to gain an
advantage, it was the reigning
champion who took control of the
fight from round one. In round
three Gurguliani scored a
knock-down, and continued to
out-box and out-punch the
challenger until referee
Zbigniew Lagosz waved it off in
round eight.
Riding a seven-fight
winning-streak since December of
2017, Gurguliani improved his
professional record to 19-6 (7).
“Nene” Ortega, stopped only for
the third time in his eight
years in the paid ranks, drops
to a misleading 18-11 (11).
The fight headlined a massive
twelve-bout card, promoted by
Vaja Kvezereli and his Boxing
Group Promotions.
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