Magomedrasul Majidov seemed destined for great things in professional boxing.
Despite winning three gold medals at the World Championships as an amateur, the Azerbaijani super-heavyweight star unable to recreate his success in the paid ranks.
Majidov was a world-class amateur but was knocked out in his fourth professional fight.
After defeating Ed Fountain, Tom Little, and Sahret Delgado in three straight stoppages, Majidov was paired with Andrey Fedosov in April 2021.
Fedosov was 31-3 at the time, but he hadn’t defeated anyone of consequence in his professional career.
The only respectable opponent he had ever faced was former world championship challenger Bryant Jennings, who stopped the stocky boxer in six rounds in 2013.
Majidov was anticipated to deal with Fedosov as easily as he had with his previous three opponents.
However, the Russian puncher had other ideas. Fedosov dropped Majidov with a perfectly timed overhand right inside the opening minute of the contest.
The amateur star fell awkwardly on his right ankle and when he made his way back to his feet he couldn’t put pressure on the injured foot as he was sent crashing back down to the canvas seconds later and counted out.
It was a far cry away from what was expected of Majidov, who had beaten several excellent pros during his vested days, including Anthony Joshua.
The pair met in the 2011 AIBA World Championship final in Baku with Majidov beating AJ on points.
Majidov won three amateur golds and an Olympic bronze.
Recalling the loss during an interview with Men’s Health, Joshua admitted that no one had caused him more pain in the ring than Majidov.
“I remember a tough fight in 2011, the final of the World Championships against a fighter from Azerbaijan,” he said.
“He had knocked out everyone to get to the final, we had a real f***ing tear-up, he was so strong.
“I was inexperienced, making silly mistakes, and I walked on to one of his punches.
“Force meeting the force. Boom! I’ll never forget that punch. I lost by one point. So there was emotional pain and physical pain.”
Joshua and Majidov never met again although the Watford powerhouse got the last laugh by winning Olympic gold in 2012 – a distinction his rival wasn’t able to achieve during his glittering career.
Majidov looked to be on the way to beating defending champion Roberto Cammarelle in the semi-finals as he led 8-6 after the first round but the Italian fought back valiantly to win 13-12 and bring the Azerbaijani banger bronze.
AJ beat Cammarelle in the final and turned over as a pro thereafter.
While Joshua has gone on to become a two-time unified world heavyweight champion, Majidov hasn’t fought since his crushing defeat to Fedosov.
