OLEKSANDR USYK’S former sparring partner suffered a shock KO defeat despite downing his opponent twice earlier in the fight.
Ukrainian fighter Oleksandr Gvozdyk – a close friend of undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk – appeared to be dominating his fight against Radivoje Kalajdzic.
He put his rival to the canvas in the first and fourth rounds and was well ahead on the scorecards midway through the contest.
Gvozdyk – a former lightweight world champion – was appearing on Dana White‘s Zuffa Boxing card and hoping to impress with a statement win.
But in the seventh round he was stunned by Kalajdzic, who floored him with a big right hook to the head.
He got to his feet and recovered, but was then dropped again just moments later with a big right hand.
He attempted to get up but started staggering backwards and the referee called it off.
The commentator could hardly believe what he was seeing as he cried: “What a shot! My oh my! A dynamite blast! Woah! What a comeback win for Radivoje Kalajdzic!”
Fans also reacted with shock to the stunning turnaround as one wrote on X: “Wow. I had [Kalajdzic] losing every round and this happens.”
Another said: “Incredible. What a fight.”
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A third added: “Looks like the end for Gvozdyk. Such a good fighter. Maybe he can upset some young prospect but he’s done at the top after this.”
And one wrote: “Two knockdowns a piece wow, and Gvoz was winning that whole fight thats wild asf.”
The promotion was hosting just its second event after staging the mega fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford last year.
Gvozdyk has previously fought stars like David Benavidez in 2024, losing to a unanimous decision on that occasion.
He was also knocked out by the feared Artur Beterbiev in 2019.
After the fight, Kalajdzic talked the media through his incredible comeback and said he believed he would get the win if he kept landing his right hand.
He said: “It feels good to be back. Thanks to my coach and teammates, they told me to trust myself, believe myself, be patient work behind the jab.
“They said if I landed that right correctly and threw it correctly, I would hurt him, and I did.”
