Gadzhimagomedov retains bridgerweight title in snoozefest

By Scott Shaffer

17/10/2024

Gadzhimagomedov retains bridgerweight title in snoozefest

Muslim Gadzhimagomedov W12 Leon Harth... In a very dull fight held at the Ufa Arena in Ufa (Bashkortan), Russia, Muslim Gadzhimagomedov retained the WBA bridgerweight title, defeating a sleepwalking Leon Harth of Germany. Now 22-6-1, Harth has fought as 175 pounder in a few fights but has blown up to compete in the 224-pound division. The most excitement in the fight occurred when world light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev stepped into the ring just before the verdict was announced to the crowd. Official scores were not read in English, but the WBA later confirmed it was a shoutout, thjree scores of 120-108, for Gadzhimagomedov (5-0). A two-time world amateur champion, Gadzhimagomedov claimed the vacant WBA title in July via a TKO victory over Zhaoxin Zhang from China. Harth fought for the same title late in 2023 against Evgeny Tischenko. That fight, originally a loss for Harth, was changed to a no contest due to a positive doping test for Tischenko.