Alan Picasso vs Azat Hovhannisyan eliminator Aug 24th

In an eagerly anticipated clash, WBC No. 1 super bantamweight Alan Picasso is set to face off against Azat Hovhannisyan for the WBC Silver title. The winner will likely earn a shot at the division's top dog, Naoya Inoue.

Picasso, boasting an impressive record of 28-0 with 16 knockouts, has been edging closer to a title shot for what seems like forever. Despite this, he hasn't yet secured a spot in a definitive eliminator. Last year, he was slated to face Ra’eese Aleem in a semifinal bout, but Aleem opted to pursue the IBF route, fighting Sam Goodman instead.

Picasso has consistently demonstrated his skill, with a notable performance in January where he overcame a rib injury to defeat Erik Ruiz by unanimous decision. However, his upcoming bout against the relentless Hovhannisyan represents a significant step up in competition.

Azat "Crazy A" Hovhannisyan, with a record of 21-4 and 17 knockouts, is known for his high-energy fighting style. He was part of the 2023 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year against Luis Nery. In that fight, Hovhannisyan endured a brutal early assault from Nery and appeared to be breaking his opponent down before succumbing to a dramatic knockout.

If Hovhannisyan is fully recovered from that grueling encounter, the 23-year-old Picasso will face an intense test. This matchup promises fireworks and could easily contend for one of the year's best fights.