In a super heavyweight (224 lbs limit) bout that concluded this morning, Russian Murad Gazimagomedov (4-0, 3 KOs), the silver medalist from the 2021 Olympics in the 91 kg category, knocked out Zhang Zhaoxin (12-3-1, 7 KOs) in the fourth round to capture the vacant WBA super heavyweight world title.
The match took place in Serpukhov, Russia, serving as the main event of the day. Zhang Zhaoxin had recently stunned another Russian, Romanov (19-1, 12 KOs), with a second-round knockout in February, establishing himself as one of the top fighters in the super heavyweight division. Gazimagomedov, on the other hand, not only won an Olympic silver but was also a world and European amateur boxing champion, boasting an impressive amateur record.
At the start of the fight, Zhang Zhaoxin took the initiative, while Gazimagomedov opted for counterattacks, constantly moving around to find openings in Zhang’s defense. Zhang’s technique was less comprehensive compared to Gazimagomedov’s, resulting in many ineffective punches and wasted energy. By the third round, the bout started to tilt heavily in Gazimagomedov’s favor, who dominated the proceedings. In the fourth round, seeing Zhang unable to retaliate against a barrage of punches, the referee wisely called off the fight.
The 28-year-old Zhang Zhaoxin now has a professional record of 12 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw, with 7 victories by knockout. In July 2021, he challenged then-WBA regular cruiserweight champion Belgian Bilge Riad Meri, being stopped in the eighth round. While possessing some skill, Zhang’s technique is not yet at the level of the elite boxers, requiring further refinement.