Pavel Sosulin walked out of Ufa as the WBA Gold and IBA Pro Intercontinental champion at super welterweight, ensuring a home victory at IBA.Pro 3 night at the Sports Training Center of the Republic of Bashkortostan Wrestling Palace.

The undefeated Russian Sosulin met Lucas Brian Bastida from Argentina (22-3-1) for the belts and continued to look as impressive as he had in his previous 12 fights.

A great right hand cross by Sosulin was one of the early highlights for the Russian, putting Bastida in the corner. He soon followed up with the same strike, checking the chin of the South American. The fifth round was even stronger for Sosulin, finishing with a flurry in the corner, with Bastida saved by the bell.

Despite struggling with four to go, Bastida found his best luck in round seven where he had found joy in parts, but Sosulin still looked more in control between them. Fortunes completely changed for the Argentine in round nine as he was backed into the corner by Sosulin, who was determined to end the match early – and he did. The referee called the contest off as Bastida absorbed punches without reply, giving Sosulin the technical knockout victory.

Uzbekistan’s Khavasbek Asadullaev continued his early winning streak, beating Russia’s Alan Khugaev over six rounds in the 67kg division by a unanimous decision. Asadullaev started strongly and won the opening rounds convincingly, finding the better of his home opponent. That said, Khugaev was always in the contest, but saved his best until last. It was perhaps too late, as the judges were already in favour of Asadullaev despite a strong sixth round for Khugaev, who was handed his first defeat after 19 wins, while Asadullaev now sits at 5-0.

Bekkhan Israilov of Russia won on a points decision in his professional debut against Mahammad Abdullaev of Azerbaijan. The +92kg match was a close encounter, neither boxer was particularly dominant over the other as they both felt confident of having their arm raised after the six rounds. It on this occasion, went the way of Israilov, handing Abdullayev his first professional defeat.

Artur Subkhankulov claimed the IBA Pro Intercontinental and WBA Oceania lightweight titles after a gruelling 10 rounds against Australia’s Ibrahim Balla. The Russian was seeking his 10^th professional victory but faced an experienced opponent in the visitor.

Subkhankulov was fed off the home crowd, which pushed him over the line against the 2012 Olympian, getting the business done in the early rounds of their bout. Balla was no pushover, showing that if given a sniff of an opportunity he would be ready to strike. He kept the hometown boy honest, and even in the last round was unafraid of letting his hands loose as the opponents went for strikes without care for defence. It was unsurprising to see Subkhankulov take the win in the end, now boasting a record of 10-0.

Russian Azaliya Amineva won the only women’s contest of the night, beating Brigitte Mbabi of the Democratic Republic of Congo by a unanimous decision. They faced off over six rounds in the 67kg division, and it was Amineva who looked the most in control throughout. A resolute performance saw her move to 3-0 as a professional, while delivering Mbabi her first defeat.

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