The two-time Olympic champion will have his next fight against Ukrainian Igor Shevadzutsky
Bakhodir Jalolov, Getty Images
Uzbek heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov (14-0, 14 KOs) said he wants to fight for the world title and named WBC, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight title holder Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) as one of his preferred opponents.
“After a long journey, I am now ready to get the world title. I want it as soon as possible, I am almost 100 percent ready to fight for the belt. I am ready to fight the great fighters in the heavyweight division. Usyk, Joshua, I am ready to fight them.”
“So far all the fighters are the same for me, I have a strong punch, yes, but I haven't fought any of the top ten fighters yet, so I could relax during the fight. I'll fight again this weekend, and then we'll see what happens with my career.”
“I started boxing when I was 14, I loved playing football and watching Wladimir Klitschko. He didn't take too many punches, he was a great heavyweight champion, I liked his style in the ring.”
The 30-year-old athlete will have his next fight on April 5 in Kazakhstan at the Barys Arena in Astana. Bakhodir's opponent will be Ukrainian boxer Igor Shevadzutsky (12-2, 10 KOs).
Jalolov had his last fight in the professional ring in November 2023. In Tashkent, Bakhodir knocked out Chris Thompson from South Africa in the second minute of the first round.
The boxer from Uzbekistan interrupted his professional career, returning to amateur boxing. Bakhodir took part in his third Olympics. Jalolov won gold in the heavyweight category at the 2024 Games in Paris and became a two-time Olympic champion.