Kuzmin – Khalidov In Saint Petersburg October 6

IBA Pro 10 returns on October 6 as Russian rivals Sergey Kuzmin and Murad Khalidov meet in their highly-anticipated IBA Pro heavyweight showdown in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Scheduled for eight rounds or less, the match-up pits two hard-hitting heavyweight hulks against one another in a fierce clash of styles and personalities.

“We are thrilled to bring this fight to Saint Petersburg on October 6 with IBA Pro 10,” said IBA President Umar Kremlev.

“Sergey [Kuzmin] is one of the most recognisable heavyweight boxers in Russia; from the amateur code through to professional, he is a man of pedigree, experience and quality. Opposite him, Murad [Khalidov] is a wildcard. A dangerous man who has excelled in both gloved and bare knuckle boxing: he is a true fighter who deserves this opportunity.

“In boxing, anything can happen – especially in the heavyweight division. These two proud Russian warriors will deliver a fight worthy of the occasion. Drama is not preferred, it is guaranteed.”

Online sensation Khalidov has gained sizable momentum in recent years, with the Budennovsk bruiser returning from a ten year hiatus from the sport and hitting the headlines with a series of violent, exciting performances across multiple disciplines.

Once considered as a future star of Russian boxing, Khalidov’s professional journey was halted by legal issues in 2014. Returning to combat sports in November 2022, he quickly rose to prominence in Cage Boxing, before upsetting highly-touted Uzbek prospect Khalimjon Mamasoliev via decision at IBA Pro 6 back in May in his first gloved boxing match in over a decade.

Khalidov would then score a crushing second round knockout win over Ivan Smirnov in July, this time in the IBA’s bare knuckle code, but now has an opportunity to make up for lost time against a known, world-level foe in Kuzmin.

“I am excited for the chance to face [Sergey] Kuzmin,” said Khalidov.

“He [Kuzmin] has 14 wins by knockout out of 19, but that doesn’t mean anything to me – because I’m not like the opponents he faced before. I will probably be his toughest opponent in his career, without any exaggeration. Just like he will be the toughest opponent in my career.

“Does the fact that everyone expects a crushing KO from me put pressure on me? There is no pressure. I never go after a knockout, it comes naturally. If I go after it, I’ll never find it. I will work in my own way.

When asked for his prediction on the fight, the confident Khalidov fired a menacing warning shot to his opponent, goading Kuzmin for what he labelled as “worthless” recent performances.

“Sergey, it’s going to be very hard for you, so get ready! What you’ve shown in your last 3-4 fights is terrible. A terrible position, worthless! This time it will be completely different. But I know that he prepares in a completely different way, so on October 6 we will see each other and determine who is the best heavyweight.”

After a brief – yet successful – foray into bare knuckle boxing, former world-ranked professional Kuzmin (19-2, 14 KOs) makes his return to the gloved scene for the first time since an eighth-round stoppage win over German Garcia Montes in July 2023.

Having shared the ring with top-level heavyweights Martin Bakole, Michael Hunter and David Price throughout his career, Kuzmin enters the bout with Khalidov (10-0, 5 KOs, 1-0 IBA Pro) with a significant experience advantage, and the 38-year-old is looking forward to squaring off with Khalidov on October 6.

“I don’t know how to hype, and I don’t welcome it,” said Kuzmin in an interview with Match TV.

“It will be a professional boxing match – it’s a gentleman’s sport, and the ring will show everything. I am already training hard and getting ready. I’ll be facing a great opponent and I’m looking forward to our confrontation. I’m very glad that the fight will take place in St. Petersburg.”

With the bout featuring two of Russian boxing’s heaviest hitters, there is no shortage of national bragging rights on the line. A win for either man would see them climb the IBA Pro heavyweight rankings, with IBA Pro CEO Al Siesta promising big things for the winner of the October 6 showpiece.

“This fight is another example of the intention of IBA Pro,” said Siesta.

“Two well-matched heavyweights, both fighting – for not only national pride – but for a chance to progress in the IBA Pro heavyweight ratings. Some are saying the experience of Kuzmin could prove to be decisive, but others feel Khalidov has the ‘X’ factor – he has momentum.

“The beauty of boxing is we get the chance to find out who is the better man on October 6. The people of Saint Petersburg can expect a spectacular evening of boxing.”

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