Murad Khalidov showed the heavyweight world he’s done hiding and done waiting. After eleven long years out, the Dagestani came roaring back in Saint Petersburg and left Sergey Kuzmin staring at the lights in round seven.
Inside the KSK Arena, two big Russians went to war from the opening bell. Khalidov (11-0, 6 KOs) walked in cold after over a decade gone and started throwing like he’d never missed a day. Kuzmin (19-3, 14 KOs) tried to tame him with that educated jab of his and found some clean counters early. It didn’t matter. Khalidov’s pressure was relentless, his uppercuts snapping Kuzmin’s head back while the crowd roared.
The Comeback Turns Violent
By the seventh, the dam finally broke. Khalidov pinned Kuzmin on the ropes, ripped a left hook that had venom in it, then dropped the hammer with a straight right. Kuzmin crumpled and the ref didn’t bother counting long. First time Kuzmin’s ever been stopped. The place went nuts – felt like the roof could’ve come off.
Khalidov didn’t play the humble comeback kid either. He went straight for names: “I want to fight Bakhodir Jalolov next. 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 Derek Chisora and Martin Bakole. Guys, I am ready. You are next. I want your head!”
Promoter Smells Big Paydays Coming
IBA Pro CEO Al Siesta was buzzing afterward. “We saw tonight the birth of a new star in the heavyweight division. Mura is known for his exciting style and brutal knockouts and tonight he showed those qualities against a great opponent in Sergey Kuzmin. Nobody has ever defeated Kuzmin in such spectacular fashion. It was a statement victory.” Siesta already name-dropped Jalolov, Chisora, Bakole and the winner of Makhmudov vs Allen as possible next steps.
Honest take from a long-time ringside hack
I was there. The sound of that finishing combo was ugly – a meaty thud that travels through your ribs even if you’re just at press row. Khalidov doesn’t look polished; he looks mean. And sometimes that’s all you need in this division. Jalolov’s southpaw jab could be poison for him, but if Mura gets close, it’s bombs away. Chisora? Might be tailor-made for this new version of Khalidov. And Bakole? Dangerous but beatable if you can take his heat.
Mura’s a wrecking ball right now, but Jalolov’s timing and length are a nightmare for him. Still, if Jalolov underestimates the pressure, it could get ugly fast. Either way, Khalidov just kicked the heavyweight door down.
Full fight card & results
- Murad Khalidov def. Sergey Kuzmin – KO 7 (heavyweight)
- Vage Sarukhanyan def. Georgii Chelokhsaev – UD (Russian super-lightweight title)
- Bakhodir Jalolov def. Vitaly Kudukhov – UD 8 (heavyweight)
- Andrey Efimov def. Kamariddin Khasanov – KO 3 (super-welterweight crossover)
- Khariton Agrba def. Charles Shinima – UD 10 (super-lightweight)
- Nikita Kuzmin def. Nekruz Salimov – UD 6 (middleweight)
- Alexander Zyryanov def. Khikmatillo Ulmasov – TKO 4 (welterweight)
- Cheerav Ashalaev def. Sajad Mehrabi – UD 6 (light-heavyweight)
- Tamerlan Ozdoev def. Juma Kijo – UD 6 (super-lightweight)
- Karina Tazabekova def. Lina Kasweka – UD 6 (super-bantamweight)
- Igor Sviridchenkov def. Rattawut Thongaram – TKO 2 (super-welterweight)
Khalidov calling out big names already shows he not here to play games. Fighters today too careful with their records but this dude wants smoke from everybody right away 👊.
How come nobody talking more about how Kuzmin looked scared by round four? That pressure had him backing up like he ain’t know what to do.
Yeah it’s almost like Kuzmin realized halfway through ‘I can’t win this’ and started surviving instead of fighting.
He probably felt those uppercuts and changed his whole game plan 😂 can’t blame him though – them shots was nasty.
I’m telling y’all now, Khalidov would knock out Bakole easy if they fight. He throws punches like trucks and Bakole gets tired real fast from what I seen.
True! Bakole start strong then fades quick – if Khalidov walks him down early it’s over by round four or five 💪.
‘He don’t look polished’? Who cares if he ain’t fancy? He get the job done! Boxing’s about hurting your man worse than he hurts you – simple as that.
People sleeping on how crazy it is to be gone for over ten years and still fight like that. That takes guts and power. Ain’t no way he don’t deserve big fights next.
‘Deserve’ is right! He made a bigger splash than most champs do nowadays. Give him Chisora or Bakole next, not some slow build up nonsense 🔥.
‘New star’ is what they said – and it’s true! Promoters finally seeing money because fans love knockouts not boring decision guys running around the ring 😴.
Why all these people acting like Jalolov gonna walk through Khalidov? Just cause he’s taller? Height don’t mean nothing when you getting punched in the face with bombs every second 😠.
I don’t care what nobody says, this Khalidov dude is the real deal now. If you can knock out a guy like Kuzmin who never been stopped, then you dangerous for everybody.
Khalidov coming back after 11 years and just smashing Kuzmin proves boxing ain’t about who been active but who got the heart. People talk about skill, but pressure like that break skills down.
Exactly! Too many fans think technique wins fights, but when someone comes out swinging like Khalidov did, it don’t matter how sharp your jab is. That man’s a monster.
Yeah and I bet most of these fighters won’t even answer his callouts now. They scared because he showed he hits hard and don’t care about names or records 🥊.