Lukas Wins Non-Title Bout After
Surprising Stoppage
by Ron Scarfone
February 4, 2025
(FEB 4) On Friday, January 31st at the
International Boxing Center in Moscow, Russia, International Boxing Organization
(IBO) super flyweight champion Angelina “Barbie” Lukas of Kazakhstan won a
non-title bout against Ayisat Oriyomi of Nigeria in an event titled "IBA
Champions’ Night." Oriyomi was fighting outside of Nigeria for the first time in
her pro career. Oriyomi is rated No. 30 in the super flyweight division by the
computerized ratings of the IBO. However, the IBO title was not at stake. This
bout was scheduled for eight rounds. World title fights for female boxers are
typically scheduled for ten rounds.
A video of the entire event was streamed live on the YouTube channel of IBA
Boxing and another video of just the fight between Lukas and Oriyomi was
uploaded. After three rounds, Oriyomi out landed and out boxed Lukas. As the fourth
round was about to begin, Oriyomi’s cornerman told the referee that “She’s
tired.” The referee immediately waved his arms and stopped the fight. The bell
rang to begin round four, but the fight itself did not resume. The ring
announcer said that Lukas was the winner in round four by TKO. Lukas improves her
record to 12-1, 6 KOs, but there is another fight that took place in China which
is not on her official record.
Oriyomi is no longer undefeated and now has a
record of 9-1, 6 KOs. Oriyomi had fought for six rounds in a previous fight, so
she is capable of fighting more than three rounds. The early stoppage was good
for Lukas not only to get the win, but to be able to fight two more times for
fights that are scheduled in February against opponents to be announced. Both
fights which are scheduled for eight rounds each will take place in the country
of Turkiye (Turkey).
One of the commentators said that Lukas is “looking at a potential showdown with
Asley Gonzalez.” Gonzalez of Mexico is the WBC super flyweight champion. Lukas
is not rated by the WBC. However, Lukas is rated No. 1 by the IBF in the super
flyweight/junior bantamweight division. The IBF world champion in that weight
class is Irma Garcia of Mexico. The WBA super flyweight title is currently
vacant, but there is an upcoming fight to fill that vacancy between contenders
Jasmine Artiga of the United States versus Regina Chavez of Mexico which is
scheduled for March 21st.
Prior to Lukas’ fight against Oriyomi, I contacted IBO President Ed Levine
regarding this fight. He informed me that if any IBO world champion loses a
non-title fight, then his or her world title would be vacated. He also stated
that all IBO world champions are required to defend their titles at least once
every nine months unless granted an extension for reasonable cause. The required
world title defense must be sanctioned by the IBO at least 30 days in advance of
the nine-month requirement. He further stated that non-title fights require the
consent of the IBO and that multiple non-title fights can be denied or a
mandatory imposed. In other words, the IBO could impose a mandatory challenger
for Lukas to defend her IBO title against.
Lukas won the vacant IBO super flyweight title in October 2024 against Debora
Anahi Lopez by a controversial unanimous decision. In fact, all the title fights
that Lukas fought were for vacant titles and she has never had a title defense
because she fought for other vacant titles instead. Lukas won the vacant
Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) super flyweight title twice because it had
become vacant again. Lukas fought for the vacant WBC International bantamweight
title after winning the UBO title the first time. Lukas won the vacant WIBA
bantamweight title. Lukas also won the vacant WIBA super flyweight title in
China which is not on her official record. Lukas won the vacant WBF and WIBF
super flyweight titles.
Lukas’ only loss was by majority decision against contender Daniela Asenjo of
Chile which was for the vacant WBC Silver bantamweight title.On the IBO super
flyweight ratings, Lukas is shown to have a record of 1-1 against quality
opponents. Obviously, the one loss was to Asenjo who is currently rated No. 5 in
the flyweight division by the IBO. The one win of Lukas against a quality
opponent likely refers to Debora Anahi Lopez who was a former WBO world
flyweight champion. When the February rankings for the IBO are available later
this month, it is possible that Lukas’ win against Oriyomi will be considered a
win against a “quality opponent” because of Oriyomi’s No. 30 ranking in January.
Taryel Jafarov of TJ Boxing Promotion is the trainer and manager of Lukas. He is
promoting the event on February 9th in Turkiye which Lukas will be fighting on
next. The fight between Lukas and Oriyomi was advertised as a WBA elimination
bout. However, this was not true and that information does not appear on the
official poster for the event.
Kina Malpartida is the WBA Female Championship
Committee Director. She stated to me that the WBA did not sanction this fight.
It is obvious that Lukas’ manager wants Lukas to be ranked by the WBA. There is
a possibility that Lukas could fight for a secondary title of the WBA such as an
International title which would secure her a ranking by the WBA if she was
victorious.
Malpartida is a former WBA super featherweight champion who made
several successful title defenses. Malpartida will be inducted into the
International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF) on April 5, 2025 at the
Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
