There has been plenty of change at the top of the heavyweight division of late and now a hotly tipped potential future champion has announced he will soon be back in the ring.
For many years, the division has been dominated a two or three main men – Anthony Joshua held three of the four world titles until 2022, and the other was held by American knockout artist Deontay Wilder out in America.
He surrounded his title to Tyson Fury with a draw and then two losses in their historic trilogy, while Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk and failed to win back his belts in a rematch.
Since then, Fury and Usyk have fought twice, with Usyk winning both times and also beating Daniel Dubois to become a two-time undisputed ruler. He has just one or two fights left as he pushes 40 so a new crop of heavyweights is set to rise to the top.
Along the likes of Moses Itauma, it is believed that 31-year-old two-time Olympic gold medallist Bakhodir Jalolov could be one of them. He has won all 15 of his fights, 14 by KO, and is next out on October 6 when he fights Russia’s Vitaly Kudukhov in Saint Petersburg.
Via an IBA press release, he has promised what he will bring.
“I will give fans a beautiful fight and demonstrate my best qualities. My goal is, of course, to become world heavyweight champion. I believe that with my experience, I deserve to face the strongest fighters. There are many Uzbeks in Saint Petersburg who are also eagerly awaiting my fight. I will do my best to put on a great performance for you all!”
Last time out in April the 2.01m tall southpaw outpointed Igor Shevadzutskyi, and it is clear just why he is being tipped by many as a future world heavyweight champion. Bob Arum, who promoted Jalolov in the past, said the ‘unique talent’ will be ‘dominant’ in the division, though time is not on his side.
