Moscow, Russia – Two-time IBA World Championships gold medallist Muslim Gadzhimagomedov expects one of the most challenging fights in his professional career, as he faces South Africa’s experienced Thabiso Mchunu in a ranking fight at IBA Champions’ Night in Moscow, scheduled for 31 January 2025 at International Boxing Center. The tickets were sold out more than 48 hours before the start of the event.
‘I am expecting one of the toughest fights in my career,’ Gadzhimagomedov said. ‘My height and bigger reach would definitely help, although Mchunu has always fought against taller rivals and has such experience. I need to show a good fight and hope to finish it before 8th round. Having said that, I do not underestimate Mchunu, I am very serious about this fight.’
Mchunu looked confident in front of the crowd, as two out of two his previous fight in Russia upset the local public. He claimed that, despite seeing a challenge in his Russian opponent, he came here to claim another victory.
In a co-main event, Russia’s Artem Suslenkov faces Jack Mulowayi from Belgium for the IBF Europa title in their 10-round contest. The boxers disputed the belt already at the weigh-in ceremony, where Suslenkov managed to snatch the belt from supervisor’s hands.
Russian Dmitry Zakharov and Saidjamshid Jafarov from Uzbekistan are to meet in the 71kg division over six rounds, bringing together two of the best at their weight category. Samuel Carmona from Spain is slated to defend his IBA European Flyweight Champion title on the card over eight rounds, meeting Russia’s Artur Nagapetyan.
In the only women’s contest of the evening, Kazakhstan’s Angelina Lukas meets Ayisat Oriyomi from Nigeria in the Super Flyweight division.
Russia’s Ruslan Belousov is to compete in the 57kg division against Gabriel Santisima from the Philippines over six rounds. Tamerlan Ozdoev from Russia and Mouhamed Oumarou of Cameroon will start the evening off with a six-round bout at the 63.5kg weight division.
Watch IBA Champions’ Night Moscow tonight at 19:30 local time (17:30 CET) on IBA YouTube channel.
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