2023-08-27 01:50:54
Muslim Gadzhimagomedov and Julio Cesar La Cruz (left to right)
Photo: press service of the Russian Boxing Federation
Moscow. August 27th. INTERFAX.RU – Two-time world champion, Olympic silver medalist in boxing, Russian Muslim Gadzhimagomedov defeated two-time Olympic champion, five-time world champion Cuban Julio Cesar La Cruz at the IBA Night of Champions tournament in Serpukhov.
According to the results of five rounds of representatives of the weight category up to 92 kg, Gadzhimagomedov’s victory was awarded by unanimous decision of the judges. Previously, the rivals met twice, both times the Cuban won.
“It was hard. La Cruz is one of those opponents that I feel uncomfortable boxing. I think he is too. We had very competitive previous fights. Now my plan for the fight has worked. I know how to work with him. We found the antidote once morest La Cruz. Everything turned out the way we wanted. Although I admit, following five rounds I was tired. This is the most difficult opponent in my entire career. La Cruz is very good in boxing, despite his age, “said Gadzhimagomedov, for whom this the fight was the first following a triumphant performance at the 2023 World Cup in Tashkent.
In the co-main event of the show in Serpukhov, the 2021 world champion Russian Mark Petrovsky won the silver medalist of the 2019 World Championship, participant of the 2020 Olympic Games Julio Castillo from Ecuador in a fight in weight over 92 kg by unanimous decision of the judges.
“I have only positive emotions. This is the third time I’m boxing in Serpukhov, and the third time is successful,” Petrovsky said.
“I had a difficult fight – there were dangerous moments, but we were ready. Somewhere I felt sorry for myself, but I had to keep the intrigue. Let me remind you that I had a fight with Kevin Johnson a week ago, and we just had to keep in shape, “I want to thank my sparring partners,” he added.
In turn, the bronze medalist of the 2023 World Championship Vsevolod Shumkov, by unanimous decision, lost to the three-time Olympic medalist Lazaro Alvarez from Cuba.
The tournament is dedicated to the celebration of International Boxing Day, which is traditionally celebrated all over the world on August 27th.
IBA Champions’ Night is a series of tournaments that have been held under the auspices of the International Boxing Association (IBA) since 2022. Tournaments of the Night of Champions series bring together the best boxers in the world who face each other in professional format fights.
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