The Russian and Olympic silver medallist claimed the vacant bridgerweight title. He maintained his unbeaten record against China's Zhaoxin Zhang. The WBA restricted its events in Russia following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. This event marks the return to the country 16 months after the restrictions were imposed.

He was undefeated going into the title fight and faced Zhang, a more experienced professional who had surprised with a win over Evgeny Romanov in February. Gadzhimagomedov, a two-time IBA world champion and Olympic silver medallist, was threatened from the outset by the Chinese boxer. However, he couldn't cope with him.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) stripped Russian boxers of their rankings and banned them from fighting in Russia after the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The move was announced in March 2022. However, in December 2022, the WBA lifted the restrictions on Russian and Belarusian boxers and the ban on organising WBA events on Russian territory. 

The WBA reinstated representatives from Russia and Belarus in its rankings almost nine months later. The organisation recognised that the athletes had nothing to do with the conflict in Ukraine and should not be discriminated against for political reasons.

Last weekend's event in Serpukhov marked the return of WBA title fights to Russia. The venue chosen was the IBA Coliseum and its Champions Night.

And it was Gadzhimagomedov who dominated the show, with the referee stopping the fight in the fourth round before it had gone to 12 rounds. The sponsors of the event presented the winner with a Mercedes AMG GT. After the fight, Gadzhimagomedov received the keys from IBA President Umar Kremlev.

Albert Batyrgaziev defeated Jono Carroll in the co-main event. It was the Irishman's first stoppage loss and allowed Batyrgaziev to become the interim WBA super featherweight titleholder.

Carroll was confident of a long fight going into the bout, stating that he would metaphorically drown the Russian as he had never gone past 12 rounds. Carroll started strongly and almost knocked Batyrgaziev down in the third round. 

However, the Russian recovered and Carroll suffered a cut to his eyelid at the end of the seventh round that marked his downfall, allowing Batyrgaziev to do a lot of damage as he struggled with bloodied eyesight. The ninth round proved to be decisive. Although Carroll bravely got up at the referee's count, he was soon knocked down again, and the Russian won the fight. 

There were many more fights on the Serpukhov Champions Night. Shakhobidin Zoirov fought Dmitry Dvali at 53.5kg, which ended in a drawn. The Uzbek Zoirov was the better fighter in the early rounds and kept Dvali at arm's length.

Although Zoirov appeared to be in control, Dvali refused to back down and continued to press his opponent. When one judge scored the bout in favour of both fighters, while another saw the bout as even, the Russian was incredulous.

In recognition of his work, IBA President Umar Kremlev was presented with a special "Boss of the Year" award by RIA Novosti prior to the start of the main card. Artur Beterbiev, WBC, IBF and WBO light-heavyweight champion, Olympic gymnastics gold medallist Nikita Nagornyy and seven-time Olympic synchronised swimming champion Svetlana Romashina presented the trophy.

Later in the night, Russia's Vasily Egorov defeated Filipino Jesse Espinas over six rounds in the -51kg bout. Despite being knocked down in the third round, Egorov recovered to dominate the fight.

Russia's Artur Subkhankulov won his 60kg third-round bout against Tanzania's Abeid Kessy Kasongo. The bout was scheduled for six rounds. A combination of punches eventually sent Kasongo tumbling backwards, unable to get up in time for the referee's count.

The night began with Samat Zhetibayev of Kazakhstan defeating Jay-R Raquinel of the Philippines in the 54kg category. The fight went eight rounds. The judges awarded a unanimous decision to the Kazakh.