Nikola Stevanović

Nikola Stevanović (; born 21 May 1987, in Belgrade) is a Serbian former professional boxer and a former IBF Intercontinental light middleweight champion.

Professional career

Stevanovic started boxing at age 11. He trained at the boxing club Cukaricki, and then at Partizan with his brother Stefan.

He made his professional debut as a 17-year-old on October 5, 2004 in Belgrade. He defeated Catalin Andrei Tilimpe via a first-round knockout. At 20 years old, Stevanovic defeated Belgian Cedric Charlier on October 5, 2007, and became the IBF World Junior Champion. He successfully defended his title against Georgia's Alexander Benidze on April 19, 2008. In June 2009, he won the vacant IBF International Title after defeating Francesco di Fiore, and in October 2009, he won the Intercontinental IBF Title by beating Tshepo Mashego. On January 24, 2009, Stevanovic lost to Alexander Abraham for the EBU-EE (European External European Union) Light Middleweight Title at the Erdgas Arena, Germany.

Nikola Stevanovic has been honoured with Fight of the Year three times: in 2009 against Tshepo Mashego; in 2011 against Stefano Castellucci; and in 2012 against Ayoub Nefzi. He received an award for the best Serbian boxer from 2004 to 2014.

In November 2012, he was arrested in Greece on suspicion of having participated in an armed robbery in Athens, along with his brother Stefan, as well as another professional boxer named Petar Bajić. Despite having been released and claiming to be preparing for more fights, his career stalled for nine years following the arrest.

On July 10, 2021, Nikola returned to the ring by participating in a boxing show in Lebane called "Svome gradu," defeating Belarusian journeyman Ilya Kharlamau by a 6-round UD. He had one more fight in Lebane on July 16, 2022, defeating Georgian journeyman Nikolozi Gviniashvili, also by a 6-round UD. He has not fought since.

Professional boxing record Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location