Magomedrasul Majidov seemed destined to do big things in professional boxing.
The Azerbaijani super-heavyweight standout picked up three gold medals at the World Championships as an amateur but couldn't replicate those same successes in the paid ranks.
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After scoring three routine stoppage wins over Ed Fountain, Tom Little, and Sahret Delgado, Majidov was matched up with Andrey Fedosov in April 2021.
Fedosov was 31-3 at the time but hadn't beaten anyone of note during his pro career.
The only decent operator he had shared the ring with previously was former world title challenger Bryant Jennings, who stopped the stocky boxer inside six rounds in 2013.
Majidov was expected to deal with Fedosov as easily as he had his last three opponents.
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However, the Russian puncher had other ideas. Fedosov dropped Majidov with a perfectly timed overhand right inside the opening minute of the contest.
The amateur star fell awkwardly on his right ankle and when he made his way back to his feet he couldn't put pressure on the injured foot as he was sent crashing back down to the canvas seconds later and counted out.
It was a far cry away from what was expected of Majidov, who had beaten several excellent pros during his vested days, including Anthony Joshua.
The pair met in the 2011 AIBA World Championship final in Baku with Majidov beating AJ on points.
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Recalling the loss during an interview with Men's Health, Joshua admitted that no one had caused him more pain in the ring than Majidov.
"I remember a tough fight in 2011, the final of the World Championships against a fighter from Azerbaijan," he said.
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"He had knocked out everyone to get to the final, we had a real f***ing tear-up, he was so strong.
"I was inexperienced, making silly mistakes, and I walked on to one of his punches.
"Force meeting the force. Boom! I’ll never forget that punch. I lost by one point. So there was emotional pain and physical pain."
Joshua and Majidov never met again although the Watford powerhouse got the last laugh by winning Olympic gold in 2012 - a distinction his rival wasn't able to achieve during his glittering career.
Majidov looked to be on the way to beating defending champion Roberto Cammarelle in the semi-finals as he led 8-6 after the first round but the Italian fought back valiantly to win 13-12 and bring the Azerbaijani banger bronze.
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AJ beat Cammarelle in the final and turned over as a pro thereafter.
While Joshua has gone on to become a two-time unified world heavyweight champion, Majidov hasn't fought since his crushing defeat to Fedosov.
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