French super middleweight Kevin Lele Sadjo successfully defended his WBA Continental title on July 6, 2026, defeating Mexico’s Adrian Juventino Duenas Cota via unanimous decision in Créteil, France. The victory marks a significant step in Sadjo’s recovery following a high-profile loss to Diego Pacheco late last year, as he looks to re-establish his standing in a crowded 168-pound division.
The event at the Palais des Sports was a triple-header of consequential matchups, featuring a world title win for 2016 Olympic gold medalist Estelle Mossely and the retirement of a long-standing former champion. Sadjo controlled the pace against Duenas Cota, with the judges returning scorecards of 98-92 twice and 97-93. The win is Sadjo’s fourth consecutive victory since his sole professional defeat.
Kevin Lele Sadjo retains WBA Continental title with dominant display
Sadjo entered the ring with a points-to-prove mentality, utilizing his signature pressure to stifle Adrian Juventino Duenas Cota over the ten-round distance. While the Mexican challenger showed durability, he couldn’t match the volume or power coming from the hometown favorite. The win keeps the WBA Continental strap firmly around Sadjo’s waist as he eyes bigger domestic and international opportunities in 2026.
The super middleweight landscape is currently one of the most discussed in the sport. While some believe Christian Mbilli presents a unique challenge to the weight class elites, Sadjo remains a formidable presence in the secondary tier of contenders. His ability to bounce back from the Pacheco loss suggests his championship aspirations are far from over.
Scorecards reflect clear gap in technical execution
The judges were largely in agreement throughout the contest, rewarding Sadjo for his aggression and cleaner landing. By securing scorecards of 98-92 and 97-93, Sadjo demonstrated that he can maintain its intensity and technical discipline over the championship distance. Adrian Juventino Duenas Cota, meanwhile, leaves France with a losing effort but earned respect for lasting the full ten rounds against a known puncher.
For Sadjo, the road ahead likely involves high-stakes eliminators. His consistency since late last year has repaired much of the damage to his ranking. He now stands as one of Europe’s most dangerous obstacles for any rising prospect or established contender looking for a pathway to a full world title shot.
Estelle Mossely captures WBA interim lightweight title in grueling battle
In the evening’s co-feature, Estelle Mossely secured the WBA interim lightweight title after a punishing split-decision victory over Argentina’s Karen Elizabeth Carabajal. It was a physically demanding encounter where both athletes suffered facial cuts early in the bout. Despite the damage, Mossely’s superior work rate convinced two of the judges, who scored it 96-94 and 98-92 in her favor.
The third judge saw the contest 96-94 for Carabajal, highlighting the competitive nature of the fight. This victory is a landmark moment for Mossely, as women’s boxing is entering a new golden era where interim titles serve as direct keys to major unifications. Mossely now holds a significant piece of the lightweight puzzle in a division teeming with talent.
A bloody encounter for the interim championship
The clash between Mossely and Carabajal was defined by its grit rather than pure technical finesse. The cuts sustained by both women turned the match into a war of attrition, tests of resolve that Mossely eventually passed. Carabajal, a veteran of several high-level bouts, once again proved she is a difficult out for any top-tier fighter, though she fell just short of the title.
With the WBA interim belt now in her possession, Mossely is positioned for massive domestic or international fights. The lightweight division remains one of the most marketable in the sport, and her status as an Olympic champion turned professional titleholder makes her a primary target for other champions looking to consolidate their legacy.
Liborio Solis announces retirement after loss to Khalil El Hadri
The night carried a bittersweet note as Venezuelan veteran Liborio Solis officially announced his retirement from boxing following a ten-round loss to Khalil El Hadri. The super featherweight contest was one-sided, with El Hadri outpointing the 44-year-old former champion to earn scorecards of 100-90 twice and 98-92.
It was the third straight defeat for Solis, who admitted afterward that his long journey in the ring had reached its end.
Solis leaves behind a significant legacy, having turned professional 26 years ago. The Venezuelan reached the pinnacle of the sport in 2013 by winning the WBA super flyweight world title and challenged for other world honors four times throughout his career.
Key details
His exit marks the end of an era for a fighter known for his durability and willingness to take on any challenger across multiple weight classes.
Khalil El Hadri secures vital win over retiring veteran
For Khalil El Hadri, the victory serves as a milestone, even if it came against an aging opponent. Beating a former world champion of Solis’s caliber, regardless of his age, provides El Hadri with valuable experience as he progresses in the super featherweight ranks. He used his speed to dominate the veteran, barely dropping a minute of the fight on the majority of the cards.
As the sport moves forward, French boxing continues to show its depth. While many fans are focused on the heavyweight division and when Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will finally meet, the results in Créteil prove that the European scene is thriving. The combination of Sadjo’s defense and Mossely’s new title keeps France at the center of the continental boxing map.
