Pavel Pawlak defeated Mamed Khalidov by TKO in the last second of the fourth round in a middleweight title fight. The victory marked Pawlak's fourth successful title defense. The dramatic finish came at the very end of round 4, showcasing Pawlak's ability to maintain pressure throughout the contest. This continues Pawlak's dominant reign as middleweight champion with another successful defense of his belt.
Pavel Pawlak successfully defended his middleweight championship against Mamed Khalidov via TKO in the final second of the fourth round, delivering one of the most dramatic finishes of the year on April 19, 2026.
The stoppage marked Pawlak's fourth successful title defense, further cementing his status as one of the most dominant middleweight champions in recent memory. That he secured the finish at the very last moment of the round underscored his ability to maintain relentless pressure deep into a fight, grinding down an opponent before delivering a decisive conclusion.
Khalidov, a seasoned veteran long regarded as a dangerous and experienced competitor at middleweight, pushed the champion through four rounds before succumbing to the late stoppage, falling short of claiming the title.
Why it matters
- Pawlak's fourth consecutive successful defense strengthens his grip on the middleweight division and raises the bar for any future challengers
- A TKO finish in the fourth round demonstrates both his durability and his capacity to finish fights even when they extend deep into later rounds
- Khalidov's defeat leaves questions about where the division's top contenders go next in their pursuit of the championship
