If that’s not easy to remember, he’s better known on the professional boxing circuit as Rod or Hot Rod and is straight out of St. Petersburg. Maybe not “straight” out of. He is a native of Zenica in Bosnia, and came to St. Pete as a kid and has been training in boxing since he was 14. He currently trains at Combat Performance and Fitness.
Kalajdzic turned professional in 2011 and most recently was seen all over the world knocking out the previously undefeated Travis Peterkin during the marquee fight on Showtime last Friday night.
Kalajdzic dropped the fellow light heavyweight down twice with a right hand before the fight was called in the fifth round with Peterkin lying face up, notching his 22nd victory. This was Kalajdzic’s first win after coming off a highly controversial and questionable defeat in a split decision last April against 2012 Olympian Marcus Brown.
Friday’s fight was the real deal for Hot Rod. It was a make-or-break moment in his career.
“It’s a big fight because if I don’t give a good performance, I’m going way back and have to start over from the bottom,” Kalajdzic said before heading to the Buffalo Run casino in Miami, Oklahoma where the fight took place. “But if I do good in this fight, stop him, or at least look good, I’m getting a big fight for my next fight on a big network, and maybe after that, a title fight.”
Confidence was abundant in Kalajdzic’s home gym. Owner Pete Davidsmeier showed assurance in both the fighter and his coach, Willie Ellis, who he describes as “one of the most insightful people you’ll ever meet”, claiming he’s like Yoda. And Ellis has been working with Kalajzdic from the beginning.
“He actually walked into the gym one day, randomly,” Ellis said. “Honestly, he was looking to just looking to dress as a boxer and to look the part. He had no athletic ability whatsoever. No coordination.”
That was when Kalajdzic was 14. He’s 25 years old now and has gained a little bit in the athleticism and coordination department. But the one thing made this wiry 14-year-old stand out above the rest, was his work ethic.
“He would be able to imitate, which is a key component to all human behavior. Imitation, that’s how we learn and that’s an asset he possesses,” Ellis said.
Ellis talks in terms of boxing almost philosophically, or maybe you could call it “fightlosophy” because Ellis sees the human body and forces everything to move in unison and make sure their energy is flowing, according to Davidsmeier.
“What I teach him is not necessarily something you’re going to be able open a book and read it,” Ellis said. “I’m a cerebral coach. I’m big on learning and knowing yourself.”
Kalajdzic gave the performance that was expected of him. The Fig Café, next to Combat Performance Fitness, was packed wall-to-wall to watch the fight on TV. Hot Rod cruised to a technical knockout in five rounds after knocking Peterkin down twice. Peterkin’s first knock down should have been his only, but he got back up and Kalajdzic went in for the kill to get the win.
The future is looking good for the 25-year-old Kalajdzic. According to him, the win could open some doors like network contracts and title fights.
“If they like what they see, maybe I could sign a network promotional deal with Showtime,” he said.
This article appears in Sep 29 – Oct 7, 2016.