This was never going to define his future, it was about rounds in the bank and knocking off ring rust for Bakhodir Jalolov when he faced Ihor Shevaadzutkskyi in Astana, Kazakhstan on Saturday night. And so it proved.
This was the first time ‘The Big Uzbek’ had stepped into a ring since claiming his second Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 last summer. He was a prohibitive favourite against the 35-year-old Hamburg-based Russian, the first step on what will Jalolov hopes will be the road to world heavyweight title glory.
In the end the 30-year-old (now 15-0) got the job done convincingly, but he was also taken the distance for the first time as he won this 10-rounder by unanimous decision with scores of 100-89, 97-92 and 97-93. It was streamed live in the US by ESPN and you can watch highlights (courtesy of Top Rank) at the bottom of this page.
Jalolov analysis
Bakhodir (251lbs or 17st 13lbs) came in more than three stones lighter than a 35-year-old who is known as ‘Hulk’. The size differential in terms of width at least appeared huge, with Shevaadzutkskyi tipping the scales at a massive 297lbs (21st 3lbs).
With those numbers, you would expect the top amateur Jalolov to have significantly better movement and hand speed than his opponent, and so it proved. Ihor was the ideal opponent, limited in terms of the ability to test the two-time Olympic king, but also tough and durable.
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It appeared early that Jalolov may well keep his knockout streak going, starting fast with classy combinations and decking Shevaadzutkskyi with a lovely left hand in Round 3. Ihor would beat the count though and was never again in danger of not hearing the final bell.
While it was mostly one-way traffic, Shevaadzutkskyi did keep Bakhodir honest, trudging forward at every opportunity and even stiffening the Jalolov legs with a lovely shot at the end of Round 7.
In the end though it was exactly what had been expected, a convincing win for ‘The Big Uzbek’, who will have way bigger tests to come.
