The key facts

  • Igor Sviridchenkov defeated Viktor Murashkin by unanimous decision in a six-round bout
  • Timuraz Surov defeated Vladislav Smyaglikov by majority decision
  • Jeff Monson lost to Ion Sholtoyan and announced the bout was the last of his 29-year career

Victories for Sviridchenkov and Surov

Two-time Russian champion, holder of the 2026 Russian Cup and a participant of the 2023 World Championship Igor Sviridchenkov won at the IBA.PRO 21 tournament. In a six-round bout, he defeated Belarusian Viktor Murashkin by unanimous decision, Gazeta.Ru reports.

Main event of the evening

In the tournament's main event, multiple medalist of Russian championships and Cups in the heavyweight division, Timuraz Surov, defeated Belarusian Vladislav Smyaglikov by majority decision. Smyaglikov is a finalist of the 2019 European Games and the 2024 BRICS Games, and a participant of the 2020 Olympic Games and the 2021 and 2025 World Championships. It is noted that Surov, who won bronze at the Russian championship that concluded in September in Saransk, represents Serbia on the professional ring.

Monson retires

Famous Russian fighter Jeff Monson also fought at the tournament: he lost by unanimous decision to Moldovan kickboxer Ion Sholtoyan. Immediately after the fight, the 55-year-old Monson announced that it was his last bout.

Significance of the event

The tournament became a notable page for Russian boxing: the victories of current strong fighters — Sviridchenkov and Surov — confirm their form in the professional ring, while Monson's departure, with, by his own account, 29 years of career and more than a hundred bouts behind him, marks the end of an era for fans of the sport. In practical terms, this changes the balance of power in the heavyweight division and closes one of the well-known careers in world boxing. Details of Sviridchenkov's and Surov's future performances have not yet been disclosed by sources.