Boxer Lasha Gurguliani crowned world champion in Tbilisi
The Georgian athlete celebrated his successful retention of the champion's title in the capital city. Photo from Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia.
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Georgia's Lasha Gurguliani successfully retained his World Super Welterweight Champion title in Tbilisi on Sunday by defeating Mexico's Edgar Ortega in eight rounds.
The 29-year-old controlled the fixture against his opponent to bring his career stats to a score of 19-6, scoring a knock-down in the third round on his way to the successful conclusion of the match.
Held at the Vere Basketball Hall in the downtown, the World Boxing Federation game - promoted by local Boxing Group Promotions - saw a packed crowd.
#stillWBFchampion ???? pic.twitter.com/n1RvJKfdRm
— W.B.F. ® (@WBFBoxing) 27 Eanáir 2020
Seen as "unquestionably the most anticipated and significant boxing event in Georgia in recent years" (WBF), the encounter saw Gurguliani retain the crown he claimed in 2019 by defeating Greece's Andreas Valavanis.
In the 2019 final the athlete was a late substitute on the roster, but went on to upset the odds and score the title-winning result, adding to his successes against Nuhu Lawal of Germany and Arif Magomedov of Russia in earlier fixtures.