Ilias Bulaid successfully retained his 67kg Enfusion world title against Zakaria Zouggary in the main event of Enfusion Live 46 on February 18, 2017 in Eindhoven.
Both fighters maintained a high-tempo thriller throughout their five-round clash, epitomising the well versed phrase of “Moroccan magic” by commentator, Vinny Shoreman.
Although Zouggary was the shorter of the two, height and physical characteristics didn’t hinder the young Moroccan warrior from applying his offensive nature as much as possible. However, “The Blade” was impregnable with his tight guard and had the more effective boxing for kickboxing which, resulted in a second round knockdown of Zouggary, from a crisp right hand but didn’t end the night early.
The fifth round would see Zouggary resurge and place Bulaid under greater pressure but despite the high pace starting to slow down the champion compared to the previous four rounds, Bulaid’s will and evasive head movement would see him secure the decision and retain his title.
Nordin Ben Moh would avenge his KO loss to Mohammed Jaraya (in what was widely regarded as fight of the year) at Enfusion Live 37 a year ago.
Jaraya was always lively, fast as ever, a threat with his occasional, but sneaky, knees and would seem to have thrown more in volume than Ben Moh. However, throwing more in volume than your opponent doesn’t simply guarantee that a fight will always be scored in your favour (even under Enfusion / K-1 based rules) especially if your opponent is more efficient in the ring which, would seem to have been why the judges awarded Ben Moh the decision.
Nordin’s cool composure and constant discipline prevented him from overcommitting himself in the exchanges this time. As well as a constant tight guard throughout all three rounds, minimising the risk factor for Ben Moh last night, compared to their ballistic encounter last year.
A couple of other results at Enfusion Live 46 which were unexpected, Tayfun Ozcan‘s lost to Jonay Risco as a result of a cut shin which, saw the fight ended by recommendation of the ringside doctor. Another win for Ozcan would’ve bolstered his campaign to challenge Nordin Ben Moh for the top spot in the 72.5kg Enfusion League. Ben Moh now leads with nine points from three wins from three fights whilst Ozcan now drops to third place with six points, two wins and one loss; and Risco jumps up to second place with seven points from two wins and one loss in the league format.
Also at Enfusion Live 46, Enfusion’s first male, two-weight champion, Ibrahim El Boustati (45-1), suffered his first official loss via first round KO to the undefeated Ulrik Bokeme (19-0), in what was a non-title fight. Could we see a rematch between El Boustati and Bokeme in the coming months and if so, would it be a title fight?
Enfusion Live 46 – Results:
Ilias Bulaid (c) def. Zakaria Zouggary via decision – retains 67kg Enfusion world title
Nordin Ben Moh def. Mohammed Jaraya via decision – 72.5kg Enfusion League
Jonay Risco def. Tayfun Ozcan by Doctor stoppage (TKO, cut shin) – 72.5kg Enfusion League
Redouan Laarkoubi def. Yassin Baitar via decision – 72.5kg Enfusion League
Ulrik Bokeme def. Ibrahim El Boustati by Rd1 KO – non-title fight
Martin Pacas def. Ismael Lazaar via decision
Georgina van der Linden def. Samantha van Doorn via decision
