This week’s Wednesday Night Fights is set to feature Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic (27-2, 19 KOs) in his first fight of the year. He’ll go toe-to-toe with English boxer Mickey Ellison (14-4, 5 KOs) in a 10-round light heavyweight bout, serving as the evening’s main event.
Originally from the former Yugoslavia, Kalajdzic moved to the United States at the age of 7 due to the Bosnian War. He eventually settled in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he discovered his passion for boxing. In a recent exclusive interview with Probox TV, ‘Hot Rod’ recounted his early influences. “I was in love the moment I walked into a gym,” he said. “My dad loved Mike Tyson, and he became one of my favorite fighters as I watched him growing up.”
With a dozen years in the pro boxing scene and an impressive knockout ratio, Kalajdzic is no stranger to big fights. His career has seen its fair share of marquee events, including a disputed split decision against Marcus Browne and a title fight against Artur Beterbiev for the IBF World Title. These experiences have cemented his reputation as a top-level contender in the division.
As he prepares for his upcoming fight, Kalajdzic took a moment to reflect on his previous bouts. “I’ve evolved since the days I fought Marcus Browne and Artur Beterbiev,” he stated. “Those were messy fights; I was just throwing punches. This time, you’ll see a more composed ‘Rod,’ picking his shots carefully and not going wild.”
In terms of predictions, Kalajdzic had a straightforward message for his Florida fanbase: “It’s going to be a knockout. We both come forward, and it’s a 10-round fight. Somebody’s going down.”
His rival, Mickey Ellison, had an equally emphatic response when asked about expectations for the fight. “It’s going to be explosive,” Ellison said. “Being away from home adds a certain edge. I’m not here to mess around; I’m here to win.”