It’s been a while, but ‘The Big Uzbek’ is back tonight (Saturday April 5) with the brilliant Bakhodir Jalolov ready to resume his bid for world heavyweight title glory.
The two-time Olympic champion has not been seen out since claiming his second gold last year at Paris 2024, having been forced to miss an intended professional return back in February.
The 30-year-old from Sariosiyo, who boasts a perfect 14-0 record in the paid ranks, will return tonight though (April 5) when he faces the Hamburg-based Ukrainian Ihor Shevaadzutkskyi in a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
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Jalolov will be expected to impress here against a man with a 12-2 record who has been in with some decent opposition in the past. Shevaadzutkskyi dropped a unanimous decision to former world title challenger Kubrat Pulev last April, and was blasted out inside three rounds by Martin Bakole back in 2023.
Every one of Jalolov’s victories have come inside distance so far, and he is clearly not in any mood to mess around to get into the world title picture – speaking in a recent interview with Box Nation he said he was aiming to claim a belt in the next year or so. ‘The Big Uzbek’ is current ranked number 8 by the WBC in their latest list of contenders.
When is the Jalolov fight?
Jalolov vs Shevaadzutkskyi is set to go down tonight (Saturday April 5) at the Barys Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan – in a show they are calling ‘Battle of the Brave’.
The card will be topped by the return of Kazakh star Zhanibek Alimkhanuly as the IBF & WBO middleweight world champion faces French contender Anauel Ngamissenge.
What time are ring walks for Jalolov fight?
Ring walks are expected to take place at around 1550 UK time (1650 CET). That is 1050 Eastern Time in the US or 0750 Pacific if you are watching on the West Coast.
How to watch Jalolov vs Shevaadzutkskyi live?
The big show will be aired and streamed live by ESPN+ in the United States.
