Kurdish Canadian boxer extends unbeaten run, has eyes on championship belt

Kurdish boxer Mazlum Akdeniz extended his unbeaten professional record to 12 wins.
Mazlum Akdeniz during his fight against Colombian opponent Jader Esquivia in a six-round bout in Sucre, Colombia, Jan. 30, 2021. (Photo: Isaac Milian)
Mazlum Akdeniz during his fight against Colombian opponent Jader Esquivia in a six-round bout in Sucre, Colombia, Jan. 30, 2021. (Photo: Isaac Milian)

TORONTO (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdish boxer Mazlum Akdeniz, from Canada, stretched his unbeaten professional record to 12-0 with an impressive performance on Saturday in Colombia.

Akdeniz (12-0) defeated his Colombian opponent Jader Esquivia (2-7-1) via first-round knockout in a six-round bout in the northern city of San Antonio de Palmito in Sucre, Colombia.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see the Kurdish boxer back in the ring. He told Kurdistan 24 after his fight that he will be back in the boxing ring in Colombia for an eight-round bout against an undisclosed opponent on Feb. 5.

“I had a good opponent, but he pulled out of the fight,” Akdeniz said, “so we are looking for another solid one.”

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Mazlum Akdeniz prepares for his fight against Jader Esquivia in Sucre, Colombia, Jan. 30, 2021. (Photo: Isaac Milian)
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Mazlum Akdeniz drops opponent Jader Esquivia in a six-round bout in Sucre, Colombia, Jan. 30, 2021. (Photo: Isaac Milian)

The 23-year-old also revealed he plans to fight for a championship belt this year. “I’m enjoying myself and training a lot right now,” Akdeniz said.

The Kurdish athlete previously admitted that training has been tough amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to restrictions in place to curb the spread of the virus. Some cities around the world are currently under curfews, including Akdeniz’ hometown of Montreal in Canada.

Despite this, he said he feels good and will “certainly fight for some titles” once the global pandemic is under control.

“We are back on track, and we are getting ready for the big fights.”