Radivoje Kalajdzic

Boxing Light heavyweight

Radivoje Kalajdzic, nicknamed Hot Rod, is a Serbian-American light heavyweight boxer who fled Bosnia as a child and built his career in the United States. He lives and trains in Florida and is known for his stopping power and resilience.

Profile

The story

Kalajdzic was born on July 27, 1991, in Zenica, then part of Yugoslavia and now located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His Serbian family fled during the Bosnian War in 1992 and settled in Saint Petersburg, Florida, in 1998. He began boxing around the age of fourteen, partly inspired by his father's admiration for Mike Tyson, and made his professional debut in 2011. In 2014, he became IBU champion. He lost an IBF light heavyweight world title fight against Artur Beterbiev in 2019 and a fight for the vacant WBA (Regular) title against David Morrell in 2024. A period of avascular necrosis in his hand kept him out of the ring for about two years, he said; stem cell treatment enabled his return. In February 2026, he defeated former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk by knockout in the seventh round and received a Performance of the Night mention. Kalajdzic works with trainer Rick Caronongan at BodyWorks in Florida.

In the ring

Fighting style

Heavy-handed pressure fighter with significant stopping power. Kalajdzic combines physical strength with pressure and looks for moments to end fights with hard combinations. His chin and recuperative ability were tested at the highest level in his world title fight against Artur Beterbiev.

Results

Performance

IBU champion in 2014; challenger in the 2019 IBF world title fight at light heavyweight against Artur Beterbiev; challenger in the fight for the vacant WBA (Regular) light heavyweight title against David Morrell in 2024; and knockout winner against former world champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk in February 2026, with a Performance of the Night mention.

Over the years

Timeline

27 July 1991: born in Zenica.
1992: fled Zenica with his family during the Bosnian War.
1998: settled with his family in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
Around the age of fourteen: began boxing.
2011: professional debut.
2014: won the IBU championship.
2019: lost the IBF world title fight against Artur Beterbiev by knockout.
2024: lost the fight for the vacant WBA (Regular) title against David Morrell.
February 2026: defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk by knockout in the seventh round.

Influence

Legacy

Kalajdzic embodies a story of resilience: a boxer who fled as a child, worked his way via the United States to the international top of the light heavyweight division, and fought twice for a world title. His career connects the history of his Serbian family with his sporting development in Florida. A definitive legendary status has not yet been substantiated.

Moments