Uzbekistan is a country well known for producing top-quality boxers with one of the most highly regarded amateur systems. In recent years they have produced many great professionals and amateurs. Most notably, they have been frequently medalling at the Olympics, snatching up Golds, Silvers, and Bronze. In 2024 alone, they achieved 5 Gold medals for Boxing at the Olympics in Paris. One such top-quality boxer Uzbekistan has produced is Bakhodir Jalalov.
Jalalov is a 6’7, 250lbs, southpaw, Uzbek heavyweight. Jalalov is known for his incredibly powerful and accurate straight left hand. His hands are also quite fast, and he moves well, particularly for a man of his size. He has a very impressive amateur record of 109-15 and achieved a lot. In the pro game, his progress has been slow for a man of his talent but he has performed well. In the pros, he has a record of 14-0 with a 100% KO rate.
The Amateur Pedigree Of Bakhodir Jalalov
Bakhodir Jalalov as previously stated has an impressive amateur record of 109-15 spanning from 2012-2024. In that time frame, he has achieved plenty as an amateur and started doing so early on. In 2013 he won the Uzbek National Championship tournament. And in 2014 he encountered his first recognisable name Frazer Clarke where he lost on points. He’d also encounter a repeated thorn in his side and elite Kazakh amateur Ivan Dychko who he would consistently lose to.
Jalalov competed in the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships where he would come third. 2016 would be a big year for Jalalov where he reached the quarter finals in the 2016 Rio Olympics encountering Joe Joyce and lost by decision. Afterwards, he would win the Uzbek National Championships 2016. In 2017 he won the 2017 men’s Asian amateur boxing championships.
2018 would be a very interesting year for Jalalov as that year he made his pro debut. Despite this, he would continue to fight in the pro leagues as well as the amateurs. This unique approach thus far has stifled his pro career however we’ll discuss that later. Jalalov would win the 2019 Asian Amateur Boxing Championships and the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships. Notably in that AIBA tournament, he would knock out Richard Torrez Jr in the first round.
In 2020 encountered Justis Huni in an Olympic qualifying tournament final and won points. 2021 was a busy year for Jalalov winning the 2021 Strandja Memorial, the 2021 Asian Amateur Boxing Championships, and making it to the Tokyo Olympics. He made it past the quarter finals facing Frazer Clarke in the semi-finals. Jalalov would avenge his loss and win on points. In the finals, he would meet Richard Torrez Jr again but this time won by decision. This earned Jalalov an Olympic Gold medal.
Final Amateur Years
Despite winning Olympic gold the most prestigious honour in amateur boxing Jalalov wished to remain in the amateurs.2023 was also busy for Jalalov winning the Strandja Memorial 2023, the 2022 Asian Games, and the 2023 IBA World Boxing Championships. The IBA championships would also be the first time Jalalov met Ayoub Ghadfa.
2024 would be the final year of my amateur career and was an important one. In 2024 he won The Great Silk Way tournament and would make it to the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the Quarter-final, fought Teremoana Teremoana, which would be a closely fought contest. Notably, Teremoana would be on the front foot and had no problem taking Jalalov’s famous left hand. However, Jalalov would win the decision and progress onwards.
Jalalov would pass through the finals against Nelvie Tiafack by decision. Then in the finals, Jalalov faced Ayoub Ghadfa for the second time and won by decision. This earned Jalalov his 2nd Olympic gold medal an incredible achievement. After this bout, he would remove his Olympic jersey and place it in the middle of the ring to finally signify his retirement from the amateurs. To then confirm his amateur retirement Jalalov made an Instagram post confirming he was indeed done in the amateurs and will focus on his professional career.
Professional Career
As said earlier Bakhodir Jalalov made his pro debut back in 2018 while simultaneously focusing on his amateur career. This has resulted in his progress in the professionals being stunted and not having many fights. Despite this Jalalov when he has fought in the pros has been very successful being 14-0 all wins coming by KO. Jalalov’s first year as a pro was easily his most active fighting 4 times in 2018. Despite the lack of commitment to the pro Jalalov is signed by Top Rank a big American boxing promotion and still appears to be.
Immediately the inactivity was noticeable in 2019 when Jalalov only fought twice. However, he did win the North American Boxing Federation against Brendan Barrett. In 2020 he would only fight once, in 2021 the activity level remained the same fighting twice., in 2022 his activity levels did rise fighting 3 times as did his competition slightly. Most notably he fought Polish journeyman, Kamil Sokolowski.
IN 2023 it was back to fighting twice a year destroying Onoriode Ehwarieme and Chris Thompson in the first round. Ehwarieme was Jalalov’s Top Rank debut and he did not disappoint. Jalalov dropped Ehwarieme 3 times before the referee stepped in 2 of the knockdowns coming from that famous left straight. Chris Thompson was Jalalov’s most recent opponent in the pros. After a short feeling-out process of Jalalov utilising his jab he again found the target with the straight left wobbling Thompson and then put him down with some hooks. Thompson was unable to make the count.
The Return of Bakhodir Jalalov
And now after more than a year’s absence from the professionals Bakhodir Jalalov will return to the pros. Jalalov will be returning on February 6th to the Montreal Casino in Canada. He will be fighting on the undercard of Arthur Biyars vs Mohamed Mimoune which is for the North American Boxing Federation super lightweight title. The event will be streamed on ESPN+.
Jalalov’s opponent is David Spilmont a French heavyweight with a record of 16-8-1. Spilmonts record is deceptive with the majority of his losses being early in his career and is on a 5 fight-win streak. Spilmont’s most notable fight was the fight against Alen Babic who finished him in 6 rounds. Since then he has acquired the Federation Francaise de Boxe French Heavy title a domestic title in France. But his most recent opponents have been dreadful having lost records in the double digits.
Although not ideal this is a suitable fight for Jalalov to dip his toes back into the pro game. The fight is very winnable for him and hopefully gets the ball rolling for his pro career. Jalalov is 30 so doesn’t have time to waste if he wants to be a factor in the division he must keep winning and get active. Jalalov needs to make a statement in this fight a remind the division that he is here for good. He has the skill, size, and power to hang at the top and now all he needs to do is prove it. We shall see what lies in store for Bakhodir Jalalov come February.
Featured image credits to Embed From Getty Images
