Cissokho Defeats Kavaliauskas, Earns Title Shot
Table of Contents
MALABO — May 11, 2025 —
Souleymane Cissokho defeated egidijus Kavaliauskas by unanimous decision in a welterweight bout held in Equatorial Guinea. Cissokho’s strong performance throughout the 12 rounds saw him maintain his undefeated record, showcasing his skill and determination. The fight was a landmark event, positioning Cissokho for a potential WBC title shot in the welterweight division. To understand the key moments, read on.
Cissokho Defeats Kavaliauskas, Earns WBC Title Shot
Souleymane Cissokho emerged victorious against Egidijus Kavaliauskas in a welterweight bout, securing a unanimous decision after 12 rounds. The fight, held in an exotic environment billed as the most critically important professional boxing event in Equatorial Guinea’s history, saw Cissokho maintain his undefeated record and position himself for a potential title challenge.
Fight Highlights
- The early rounds saw Kavaliauskas,representing Lithuania,dictating the pace in the semi-welterweight division (up to 66.7 kg).
- In the second round, Kavaliauskas knocked down Cissokho, who represents France but was born in Senegal.
- The fifth round saw Cissokho in serious trouble, nearly falling out of the ring.He was saved by the bell.
- Despite the knockdown and a near-fall, Cissokho recovered to win the remaining rounds.
Did you know?
Equatorial Guinea had not hosted an international boxing event in eight years prior to this fight.
The Decisive Victory
After a grueling 12 rounds, the judges awarded the victory to S. Cissokho by unanimous decision.This win marks a critically important milestone in his career, opening the door for a potential shot at the WBC welterweight world champion, Mario Barrios of the US.
Fighter Backgrounds
Egidijus Kavaliauskas,a 36-year-old from Kaunas,Lithuania,entered the fight with a record of 24 victories (19 by knockout) and 3 defeats in his 12-year career. He previously fought for the WBO championship belt but was defeated by Terence Crawford in 2019.
Souleymane Cissokho boasts an unblemished record of 18 wins (9 by knockout). He is ranked second in the WBC rankings, while Kavaliauskas is fourth.
Pro tip
Maintaining composure after a knockdown is crucial. Cissokho’s ability to recover and adjust his strategy ultimately led to his victory.
Both fighters have a background in amateur boxing. Kavaliauskas won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Cup, while cissokho earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Previous Encounter
The fight between Kavaliauskas and Cissokho was initially scheduled for last December, but Cissokho had to withdraw due to a hand injury sustained during training.
