The third fight between Magomed Ismailov and Vladimir Mineev will take place on July 20 in Moscow. Only this time the opponents will meet in the ring, not in the octagon. At the same time, Volzhanin is closer to striking technique, he still specializes in kickboxing, but boxing is not something unknown for the Bald Predator either.

In the ring, Magomed has already managed to defeat Olanrewaju Durodola, Alexander Ilic and Ivan Shtyrkov. Ismailov even consoled the latter after the fight.

Friendship, soup and buns

In March 2023, a boxing evening took place in Yekaterinburg, the main event of which was the confrontation between Ismailov and Shtyrkov. The opponents had already met face to face in a fight according to MMA rules, and then Magomed was stronger. The meeting in the ring could be perceived as a rematch, or as a separate story.

— We will meet again on March 7, but this time it will be in the ring. Vanya said that he does not consider our new confrontation a rematch, and that this is a new story. Worthy! I am saying that if he manages to win, the score will be 1-1, and if not, then 1-0 in my favor in boxing.

I feel like we’re in for six tough rounds, and I hope it’s 1-0 in my favor in boxing. I hope Vanya hasn’t discovered any new chemistry since our last fight, Ismailov wrote on social media.

Against the backdrop of the confrontation between Ismailov and Mineev, this dilogy developed without any particular degree. The rivals did not feel any hostility towards each other, on the contrary, they demonstrated a friendly attitude.

— I don’t understand why it’s necessary to build up a fight with aggression. People are so used to the fact that building up a fight equals aggression, insults, they can’t think of anything smarter. Yes, we had some attacks with Maga, but in a joking manner.

I don’t like and can’t be aggressive towards opponents, express disrespect, because I don’t feel this aggression outside the ring. If a person treats me normally, then why should I treat him differently? Where do I get this aggression from? – Shtyrkov said in an interview with Match TV.

This whole story got to the point where Ismailov brought his opponent soup and buns for the weigh-in. So those who were thirsty for fiery squabbles, fights outside the ring and other dirt were left with nothing this time. However, the opponents were not going to feel sorry for each other in the ring.

Magomed Ismailov and Ivan Shtyrkov / Photo: © RCC

Merciless fight

The fans first saw several fights between technical boxers, and after that they had to watch a real brawl, where only the general rules of boxing remained. Ivan, of course, tried to act at least a little technically at the very beginning: he closed and counterattacked. But Maga did not even try to meet anyone’s expectations: he simply started to fight like at a village disco.

By the middle of the six-round fight, Shtyrkov had already given up trying to box beautifully. The opponents defended poorly: both took heavy blows, but stayed on their feet. The high-tempo work made itself felt in the second half of the fight, when both began to run out of “fuel”.

But the fans never saw an early victory: the fighters fought all six rounds. The Bald Predator was slightly faster, more resilient and more accurate than his opponent. The Ural Hulk tried to turn the confrontation in his favor at the end, but to no avail.

Photo: Ismailov vs. Shtyrkov fight (boxing rules, 2023)

However, Ismailov did not have a clear advantage either. However, two judges gave the victory to Magomed, and one recorded a draw. Ivan did not hide his disappointment well, but he really wanted to win in front of his home audience. The Bald Predator was forced to console his comrade after a merciless fight.

“I love you, brother. Why are you upset?” Ismailov addressed Shtyrkov after the fight.

Ivan cheered up a bit and even suggested later to determine the strongest in billiards, volleyball or football. But it seems that the point has already been made in this confrontation.

Watch the live broadcast of the fight between Magomed Ismailov and Vladimir Mineev on July 20 from 22:00 on the Match TV and Match! Fighter channels, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.