Muslim Gadzimagomedov vs Thabiso Mchunu Preview Jan. 31st, 2025
Thabiso Mchunu of South Africa travels to Moscow, Russia this Friday, January 31st to take on unbeaten Bridgerweight Champion Muslim Gadzimagomedov in a 12-round showdown. Mchunu last boxed in March when he dropped a 10-round split decision to Yamil Peralta in a shot at the vacant WBC Silver Cruiserweight Belt for his second straight loss. Gadzimagomedov last fought in October when he shutout Leon Harth over 12 rounds. This is just the fourth fight for Mchunu since 2019 and his first as a bridgerweight (200-224 lbs). This fight should be available on the IBA (International Boxing Association) You Tube Page.
Gadzimagomedov vs Mchunu Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Thabisco Mchunu +2000
- Muslim Gadzimagomedov -1000
My Pick
Mchunu is 36-year-old southpaw who climbs into the ring with a record of 23-7 with 13 Ko’s. He’s boxed 219 rounds since making his pro debut in 2007. He had a brief amateur career and was once stopped by current WBC and IBF Light Heavyweight Champion Artur Beterbiev in the third round back in 2006. Mchunu stands 5-feet-11-inches tall with a 72.5-inch reach and possesses just above average power as 56.5 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage with his last one coming in 2019.
Since turning pro he’s won the interim WBA Pan African, the NABF, the African Boxing Union, the WBA Pan African, the WBC Silver and the South African Cruiserweight Titles. His biggest wins have been against ‘Fast’ Eddie Chambers, Olanrewaju Durodola, Garrett Wilson, Johnny Muller, Ricards Bolotniks, Thomas Oosthuizen and Denis Lebedev. He’s is more of a defensive counterpuncher with good speed and foot work along with decent power but has been stopped in three of his seven defeats.
Mchunu isn’t one of the most exciting boxers out there and often tries to sit on a lead when he’s clearly ahead on points. This cost him in his first fight against Ilunga Junior Makabu when he was stopped in the 11th round in 2015. He then lost a split decision to Makubu in their 2022 rematch in a shot at the WBC Cruiserweight Title. He was stopped by Zack Mwekassa in the sixth round in 2011 and by current Heavyweight Titlist Oleksandr Usyk in the ninth stanza in a shot at the WBO Cruiserweight Crown in 2016. His other losses were to Constantin Bejenaru by 10-round unanimous decision in 2017 and a 12-round majority decision to Thomas Oostthuizen in their first meeting in 2018.
Gadzimagomedov is 28 years old and has just 34 rounds of experience to his name since making his pro debut in 2021. He’s a perfect 5-0 with 3 Ko’s and has a knockout ratio of 60 per cent. As an amateur, he captured a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships and 2019 European Games and took home silver medals from the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2017 European Championships. He’s currently the WBA Bridgerweight Champion (between 200 and 224 lbs) as he stopped Zhaoxin Zhang in the fourth round for the belt last July.
At just over 6-feet-4-inches tall, Gadzimagomedov has a 5.5-inch height advantage over Mchunu, but unfortunately he has an unlisted reach. He also has stoppage wins over Deibis Berrocal and Artur Mann with decision victories over Akanzi Phuzi and Leon Harth. Gadzimagomedov has fought three of his pro bouts in his homeland of Russia. he has also fought a couple of IBA (International Boxing Association) fights and has gone 2-0.
Prediction……
Mchunu is an aging veteran who isn’t known for his power but he has plenty of experience against quality boxers. He’s been stopped three times but is still quite durable. However he’s eight years older than Gadzimagomedov, gives up quite a bit of size, hasn’t been very active lately and is fighting in his opponent’s backyard. In addition, Mchunu doesn’t have the power to keep Gadzimagomedov at bay for 10 rounds. I’m expecting Gadzimagomedov to emerge with a win here but there’s a chance that the fight goes the distance.
This will all come down to Gadzimagomedov’s power and Mchunu’s chin.
Play: Gadzimagomedov -1000 @ BetOnline.ag
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Muslim Gadzimagomedov betting • Thabiso Mchunu betting