Khalidov Crushes Kuzmin In Heavyweight Slugfest: Eyes Jalolov, Chisora, Bakole Next
SAINT PETERSBURG – Murad Khalidov established himself as a major player in the heavyweight division with a breathtaking seventh round knockout of Sergey Kuzmin in their heavily-hyped all-Russian barnstormer at BETCITY IBA Pro 10 in Saint Petersburg.
The grudge match lived up to its explosive billing, with Khalidov (11-0, 6 KOs) and Kuzmin (19-3, 14 KOs) trading heavy leather from the opening bell before a packed KSK Arena.
Khalidov, the Dagestani destroyer returning from an 11-year boxing hiatus, set a blistering pace, snapping Kuzmin’s head back with stinging uppercuts and relentless pressure. Kuzmin fought back valiantly, using his educated left jab to keep Khalidov at bay and landing sharp counters of his own in a back-and-forth battle that electrified the crowd.
As the fight reached its climax, Khalidov’s aggression overwhelmed Kuzmin. In the seventh, he unleashed a ferocious combination, trapping Kuzmin on the ropes with a crushing left hook followed by a straight right that sent the veteran crumpling to the canvas. The referee waved off the contest, awarding Khalidov the most emphatic win of his career and marking the first stoppage loss for Kuzmin.
Now unbeaten in eleven, Khalidov wasted little time in calling for a match-up against a host of top names in the heavyweight division; including Uzbek star Bakhodir Jalolov, British war-horse Derek Chisora and Congolese bogeyman Martin Bakole.
“I want to fight Bakhodir Jalolov next,” said Khalidov after his explosive knockout victory.
“If he doesn’t cling to his ‘0’ like a lifeline, he will accept this fight – and it won’t be easy for him.
“I also want to fight Derek [Chisora] and [Martin] Bakole,” Khalidov continued.
“Guys, I am ready. You are next. I want your head!”
IBA Pro CEO Al Siesta was quick to praise both men for their epic battle, before putting Khalidov’s name in the conversation for a huge heavyweight showdown next.
“We saw tonight the birth of a new star in the heavyweight division,” said Siesta.
“Mura [Khalidov] is known for his exciting style and brutal knockouts and tonight he showed those qualities against a top-level opponent in Sergey Kuzmin. Nobody has ever defeated Kuzmin in such spectacular fashion. It was a statement victory.
“We now know Mura is ready for anyone in the heavyweight division. There is [Bakhodir] Jalolov, Chisora, Bakole or the winner of Makhmudov vs Allen – we are ready. The Dagestani Destroyer is coming for everyone!”
In the chief support of the evening, Vage Sarukhanyan produced a career-best performance to capture the Russian super-lightweight title after a pulsating decision win over Georgii Chelokhsaev.
Armenian-born Sarukhanyan (22-4-2, 4 KOs), who entered the fight as wide as a 6-to-1 betting underdog, boxed intelligently on the back foot; using his lateral movement and sharp counters to stifle the advancing Chelokhsaev (24-3-1, 16 KOs) and pick up the deserved upset victory.
Elsewhere on the undercard, heavyweight star Bakhodir Jalolov extended his unbeaten professional record with a hard-fought points win over Vitaly Kudukhov after eight fiercely competitive rounds.
Jalolov (16-0, 14 KOs) began the bout on the offensive, controlling the distance behind his southpaw jab and looking for openings to land his signature left-hand. However, Kudukhov (7-4, 3 KOs) stuck gamely to his task, forcing ‘The Big Uzbek’ to stand and trade as the two men went to war down the stretch.
Nevertheless, it was the cleaner punching and superior skill-set of Uzbek star Jalolov that was enough to secure the victory on the judges’ scorecards.
In their heavily-hyped super-welterweight crossover contest, Andrey ‘Wushu Master’ Efimov scored a crushing third round knockout over Kamariddin ‘Kamil Karate’ Khasanov.
Boxing behind a sharp jab in the opening two rounds, Efimov (1-0, 1 KO) would burst into life in the third, trapping Khasanov (0-1) against the ropes and unloading with a violent left-hook, before a straight right hand sent the Tajik fighter face first onto the canvas. Though Khasanov attempted to beat the count, he was spared further punishment by the referee.
Super-lightweight contender Khariton Agrba got back to winning ways with a clinical display to outpoint the rugged Charles Shinima (19-3, 13 KOs) over ten rounds.
Agrba (16-1, 9 KOs) boxed intelligently in booking the win, rebounding from his first career defeat in style and putting his world championship aspirations firmly back on track.
Nikita Kuzmin (1-0 IBA Pro) produced a dominant performance to comprehensively shut-out Nekruz Salimov (1-1 IBA Pro) on the scorecards in their six round IBA Pro middleweight encounter.
Alexander Zyryanov (1-0 IBA Pro) kicked off his IBA Pro career with a dazzling fourth-round stoppage win over Uzbek prospect Khikmatillo Ulmasov (0-1 IBA Pro) in their four round welterweight contest.
Light-heavyweight talent Cheerav Ashalaev (1-0) impressed in his professional debut, utilising his superior speed and skillset to outpoint Sajad Mehrabi (6-6-2, 4 KOs) over six rounds.
Saint Petersburg super-lightweight prospect Tamerlan Ozdoev (3-0, 1 KO) edged the game Juma Kijo (7-2, 3 KOs) via six round unanimous decision.
Karina Tazabekova (6-0, 1 KO) outpointed Zambia’s Lina Kasweka (9-3, 4 KOs) in their six round super-bantamweight bout.
Super-welterweight debutant Igor Sviridchenkov (1-0, 1 KO) halted Thailand’s Rattawut Thongaram (10-5, 8 KOs) via TKO in two.
