Israil "The Dream" Madrimov (8-0, 6 KOs) got the result he had dreamed of - but not in the way he had never dreamed of. The WBA #2 rated Uzbek scored a ninth-round TKO over WBA #1 ranked Frenchman Michel Soro (35-3-1, 24 KOs) in controversial fashion after nine even rounds at the Renaissance Hall in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The fight was the WBA light middleweight eliminator.

As always, the shorter Uzbek started aggressively, throwing hard, damaging blows at the body and head of the Frenchman. Soro used his tight guard and short steps to shuffle Madrimov's aggression, who was content to win territory and maybe initiative but hardly scored anything meaningful in the first.

Madrimov, 26, who had been a strong amateur but had never got any accolades compared to his teammates, who were showcased in the undercard, started working the body in the second. His crisp jabs brought Soro's attention but looping right hands weren't scoring that often. Soro, 34, who spent the last two years away from the ring, worked the jab and scored with it but was mostly defensive both in the second and in the third.

The Frenchman started using more power shots in the fourth, but he was still moving backwards and chose not to stand his ground against the pressure fighter. Madrimov got in one of his biggest shots - right hand at the ear of Soro and dazed him a bit midst into the fifth.

The turnaround occurred in the sixth, when Soro forced Madrimov to play his game, stood his ground and threw damaging shots at the Uzbek. Right uppercut was instrumental for the Frenchman, and his jab was working too. The sixth and the seventh also saw Madrimov hitting the lowest point of energy. He was using his shoulder to push Soro but threw significantly less power shots, was at the end of Soro's jab and couldn't find his distance. The same continued into the eighth but during the round Madrimov made his own comeback. He continued to work through the jab of the Frenchman, scored with several painful body shots and outworked Soro during the last part of the stanza. The finish was strong for the Uzbek to close the eighth.

The ninth was different. Soro continued to deliver his best boxing just if the end of the eighth was merely a mirage. It was all going mostly Soro's way until the last twenty seconds of the round. It was there when Madrimov connected with a cracking right at the whiskers of Soro and got him wobbled. Several more power shots pinned the Frenchman to the ropes right around the bell. The bell had clearly sounded - and then there were several more punches which landed flush on Soro's chin, making him stand defenselessly and forcing referee Salvador Rodriguez of Spain to step in, waving the fight off.

When the fight was stopped, that's when chaos had erupted in the ring. Soro's famed coach, Abel Sanchez, didn't protest the outcome initially - but then engaged in the heated argument between Team Soro, Team Madrimov and the referee.

As the officials were trying to decide what to do, both fighters sat down into their corners, waiting for more instructions and not taking their gloves off. The big argument between the two sides and the local officials, was whether or not the fight was stopped at the bell or a few seconds after. 

It took several minutes before a decision was made and a verdict was announced - a ninth round TKO for Madrimov - to the very bitter disappointment of the French boxer's side.

In the aftermath of the verdict, the teams continued to argue and there will surely be a protest filed by Team Soro.

In a post-fight interview, Madrimov indicated that he was ready for a rematch with the Frenchman - one outcome, which will certainly be discussed.