Souleymane Cissokho Wins WBC Welterweight Eliminator in Equatorial Guinea

Souleymane Cissokho and Egidijus Kavaliauskas fought a closely contested 12-round WBC Silver welterweight title eliminator in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, with Cissokho winning by unanimous decision despite being knocked down twice. The fight showcased contrasting styles, with Kavaliauskas applying pressure and scoring early knockdowns, while Cissokho relied on his technical boxing and jab to control the later rounds. Cissokho's victory secures him a mandatory challenger position for the WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. Prior to the fight, Cissokho was favored with odds reflecting his undefeated 17-0 record, while Kavaliauskas, with a record of 24 wins and 2 losses, was considered a tough, experienced opponent. The event highlighted the culmination of both fighters' careers, with Kavaliauskas acknowledging the stakes given his age and Cissokho marking a significant step toward a world title. The fight was broadcast live on ESPN+ and took place at the Centre de Conference de Sipopo, attracting a packed crowd and significant attention in African boxing.