Sadiq halted by Chudinov in Russia
Ilford's Umar Sadiq (10-2, 6KOs) was spirited right until the end came at just 34 seconds into round 12 at the hands of former WBA World champion Fedor Chudinov (23-2, 16KOs) in Khimki, Russia on Friday, September 11.
Nigerian-born Londoner Sadiq, known as 'Top Boxer', lived up to his alias by taking the fight at short notice over 1800 miles away to challenge for the Russian's WBA Gold super-middleweight belt.
The Ilford super-middleweight, trained by Harry Andrews, had been preparing for a British title shot against Lerrone Richards this summer.
It was just two weeks ago when the fight became official, sparking a rush to secure a visa, accommodation and sparring ahead of the big night on the memorable date of September 11.
Their form going into the 12-round 168lbs contest was almost identical with both fighters having retired three of their last six opponents each, and both of their last fights ending in a unanimous decision win.
Sadiq threw everything he had at the Russian and was looking exhausted by the time the end came in the final round. Even in some of the earlier rounds, he looked to be drawing in breath in the corner a lot more than his opponent. He started brightly and landed some great shots early on, but Chudinov, formerly trained by Roy Jones Jr at the start of his pro career in 2015 after winning over 170 amateur bouts, turned up the heat and Sadiq was often found with his back to the ropes.
It was there that he became trapped in the final round that forced the referee to step in and stop the bout.
Martin Theobald from New Age Boxing commented on the official's decision, "Good stoppage by the ref. Sadiq looked shattered at end of that 11th and Chudinov knew it. But that was immense from Umar. Showed he can be at that level, and if he had the right camp who knows if it would have been different."
Seconds Out's Danny Flexen gave his analysis, "I had Chudi up by 2. Sadiq wasnt throwing back at the end, probably more exhausted than hurt. Brave and tenacious display from Sadiq who only gains from this."
Josh Warrington's manager concurred with that, "Agree he was spent, was trying to work out if he lacks a bit of power or if Chudinov has granite chin but either way a good effort."
Boxing Social's Rob Tebbut observed, "Umar Sadiq stopped on his feet in the final round. Looked more exhausted than anything. Nevertheless, an outstanding effort and a fight that he’ll learn a lot from."
32-year-old Chudinov held the WBA ‘Super’ title back in 2015, challenging for the belt a second time in 2017 against George Groves – the night the Hammersmith man was fourth time lucky and became a world champion for the first time.
Trained by Vladimir Hryunov, Chudinov is undefeated since that night at Bramall Lane and is pushing for a mandatory title challenge against current WBA king Callum Smith. Now riding on a nine-fight winning streak, with the WBA Gold as his fifth title claimed from the World Boxing Association, he is front-runner to become Smith's next challenger.
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