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Home » David Avanesyan ruins Kerman Lejarraga’s US dream, takes Euro strap

David Avanesyan ruins Kerman Lejarraga’s US dream, takes Euro strap

Former WBA title holder and Shane Mosley conqueror David Avanesyan travelled to Spain over the weekend to dethrone Kerman Lejarraga of the European welterweight title.

The UK-based Russian, who held the world championship briefly between 2016 and 2017, came on strong in the late rounds to see off Lejarraga at Bilbao Arena.

Despite his pre-fight credentials, Avanesyan was a surprising underdog. Bookies were offering 7/2 for an away win, something which was gobbled up by those in the know beforehand.

Avanesyan has a better resume on paper. This is despite losing two of most recent higher-profile outings.

Added to the Mosley victory is a win over Kaizer Mabuza, plus a closely-fought contest with Lamont Peterson.

Lejarraga’s best efforts came against Brits Frankie Gavin and Bradley Skeete.

Displaying a steel and desire needed to fend off a home fight in his own backyard, Avanesyan piled on the pressure to get Lejarraga out of there in the ninth round.

With the reverse, a promised US move for Lejarraga is now in serious doubt.

Furthermore, the triumph completed a remarkable double for manager Neil Marsh on the night.

Marsh also looks after the affairs of Robbie Davies Jr. The Liverpool man also claimed the same Continental belt at 140 pounds at the M & S Bank Arena.

Davies defeated Joe Hughes in a hard slog of a battle to add the EBU title to his British version.

Both boxers deserve a well-earned rest for their performances but could have much bigger fights on the horizon.

Davies and Avanesyan are involved in bustling divisions respectively, with world title opportunities highly possible before the end of the year.

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Elsewhere in Argentina, Daniela Bermudez retained her Women’s WBO bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over Irma Garcia.

Whilst in Australia, Jason Moloney got his career back on track with a stoppage win Cris Paulino.

Moloney ended the contest in the fifth to erase the memory of his World Boxing Super Series loss to Manny Rodriguez.