Malcolm Jones vs Ali Akhmedov Preview January 17th, 2025
Ali Akhmedov of Kazakhstan is back in action this Friday, January 17th when he takes on Malcolm Jones of Indianapolis, Indiana, in a 10-round super middleweight bout in Commerce, California. Akhmedov last boxed in September when he edged Pierre Hubert Dibombe via a 10-round split decision despite being knocked down in the eighth round. Jones’ last fight resulted in a six-round draw with Victor Hugo Exner in October. This weekend’s fight can be seen live on UFC Fight Pass.
Jones vs Akhmedov Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Malcolm Jones +600
- Ali Akhmedov -1000
My Pick
The 32-year-old Jones carries a record of 17-4-1 with 10 Kos and has boxed 90 rounds since making his pro debut in 2015. He’s 6-feet tall an unlisted reach and isn’t really a power puncher but has decent power as 58.8 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage. However he’s stopped just two of his last eight opponents and has four wins, three defeats and a draw over that stretch. He doesn’t possess the strongest punch resistance either as he’s been stopped in all four of his losses.
Jones had a pretty good amateur career as he made it to the 2012 USA National Championships quarterfinals where he was halted by Marcus Browne. He also reached the quarterfinals of the 2011 USA National Golden Gloves tournament. Just nine of his 22 pro opponents entered the ring with a winning record and he was beaten by three of those.
The first defeat on Jones’ record came at the hands of Lanny Dandar by second-round KO in 2017. He was also stopped by Lanell Bellows in the fourth round in 2020; by Tipton Walker in the second round in his very next fight in 2021 and by Immanuwel Aleem in the fourth round last February in a shot at the vacant Universal Boxing Organization Continental and WBC FECARBOX Super Middleweight Titles. His biggest wins have been against the likes of Fidel Hernandez, Les Sherrington and Curtis Hill Jr.
As for the 29-year-old Akhmedov, he now fights out of Venice, California and enters the ring with an impressive 22-1 record with 16 Ko’s. He made his pro debut in 2016 following a pretty good amateur career and has boxed an even 100 rounds since. There’s no doubt Akhmedov has the edge in power as his current knockout ratio stands at 73.7 per cent with six of his last eight wins coming by stoppage. He also has the edge in height by an inch he measures 6-feet-1-inch tall.
Akhmedov’s lone defeat was to Carlos Congora by way of a 12th-round stoppage in December, 2020 in a shot at the vacant IBO Super Middleweight Title. He took another step up in class in 2022 when he shut out Gabriel Rosado over 10 rounds for the vacant IBF North American and WBC Silver Super Middleweight Belts. He also has wins over David Zegarra, Andrew Hernandez, Patrick Mendy, Carlos Rivero, Encanarcion Diaz, and Marcus McDaniel. Since turning pro Akhmedov’s also won the NABF Jr. Light Heavyweight Title, the WBC Youth World Light Heavyweight Title and the WBC International Silver Super Middleweight Belt.
Prediction…
Akhmedov is also an aggressive boxer with more power than Jones and is also a few years younger. He’s got a sturdier chin and I’m expecting him to earn another win this weekend and believe that he’ll probably stop Jones somewhere along the line.
Akhmedov’s power should be the difference.
Play: Akhmedov -1000 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Ali Akhmedov betting • Malcolm Jones betting