Mourad Aliev TKO9 Ali Kiydin...  French heavyweight Mourad Aliev, a 6'7" southpaw, took a big step forward in his pro career last weekend with a ninth-round TKO of hard-hitting  Ali Kiydin (16-2). The fans at the Friedrich-Elbert Halle, Ludwigshafen, Germany saw a huge but lean twenty seven year-old Mourad show both power and persistence reinforced by a nonstop two-fisted attack. Now 7-0 with 5 KOs, Aliev weighed in around 255 pounds. By comparison the 5'11" Ali is four years older and weighed 225. 

 

Mourad was born in Moscow, but, moved to France at age six and is now a French Citizen living in Nice. He represented France in the 2021 Olympics, where he was controversially disqualified. Ali is from Frankfurt, Germany.

 

Ali, who is more experienced, weathered several storms, then a huge straight left dropped him hard in the ninth. He bravely got up and fought on, but was caught by another big left, driving him back. Referee Jurgen Langos immediately stopped the fight at one minute fifty-five, a couple of seconds before the towel thrown in from Ali's corner, hit the canvas.  

 

Ahmet Oner of Arena Promotions, who promotes both fighters said: “Ali tried to catch Mourad but it didn't work. Mourad needs more experience, and he needs to use his range more. He must fight like a big man.  His coordination is not yet perfect in my opinion, but he is indeed getting better, and he is progressing well. He has a punch power, which was moving and shaking Ali. The referee and Ali's corner stopped the fight, almost in the same moment.  Mourad is learning, progressing and he`s coming! He`s going to be one of the major stars in the heavyweight division. It was his seventh fight, he was NOT fighting a taxi driver, he was fighting a quality opponent who`s a proven puncher.”

 

Oner will be keeping Mourad busy. He's been invited for sparring sessions with undefeated Agit Kabayel (22-0, 14 KO`s), who's won the European heavyweight title. There's a big show coming up in  June. Oner said: “Mourad has real potential and I believe he will be one of the major players!”