BAKHODIR JALOLOV is the six-foot-tall, horse-riding, gun-toting Uzbek southpaw tipped for the top of heavyweight boxing after the Paris Olympics.
The 30-year-old left-hander already has the winner’s medal at Tokyo 2020 and is the big favorite to do the double in France.
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And – in another embarrassment for struggling amateur boxing – he was allowed to go 14-0 in the professional ranks, knocking every corpse from a distance.
The frightening statistics so impressed the head of Russia’s International Boxing Association, Umar Kremlev, that he sent Jalolov a luxury BMW – complete with a bright red bow tied on the bonnet – as a wedding gift in December.
And the controversial figure’s flashy gift arrived with a touch of the ridiculous, as it failed to blend in with the much more modest surroundings of Jalolov’s home.
With undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk, 37, rematch challenger Tyson Fury, 35, and former champion Anthony Joshua, 34, all approaching retirement, the throne will soon need a massive ass and super talented to take over.
And – although 19-year-old Kent prodigy Moses Itauma has shown impressive early potential – giant Jalolov is destined to be the next monster success.
Legendary Top Rank promoter Bob Arum revealed that Paris was always part of the plan when the US powerhouse made its deal with the ace.
The mentor, who played a key role in the careers of icons from Muhammad Ali to Vasyl Lomachenko, explained to us: “When we signed Jalolov last year, his participation in the Paris Olympic Games was always part of the plan.
“I have the greatest confidence that he will win another gold medal.
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“We plan to move it very quickly after the Olympics.
“He is a uniquely talented fighter and I have no doubt that one day he will be a dominant heavyweight champion.
“His combination of size and strength in a left-handed stance doesn’t come along very often.
“Every time I see him fight, I am impressed by his composure and his unique skill set.”
The devout Muslim is also multi-talented, judging by the photos and clips on his star-studded Instagram account.
Sandwiched between photos of Jalolov with Conor McGregor, Mike Tyson and Cristiano Ronaldo are snapshots of his much more pious personal life.
The 18th hulk knows his way around a stable and can even mount and ride a giant horse without either of them collapsing.
I have the greatest confidence that he will win another gold medal.
We plan to move it very quickly after the Olympics.
He can also tip a left-footed free-kick into the side netting from 25 yards with such skill that – if he were English – Gareth Southgate would no doubt buy him three minutes off the bench in a pointless friendly.
One Englishman who already rates Jalolov highly is 2016 Olympic silver winner Joe Joyce, 38 – who defeated the rising star in Rio.
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The Putney Juggernaut – who was robbed of his gold by scandalous judgment – told SunSport: “He was very young at that time and I felt like I was in my prime, unstoppable.
“It was a good fight, he tested me, but I was ready and really crushing people at that time.
“He was young at the time and a tricky left-hander, but I was going over anyone to get that gold medal.
“That was eight years ago, so he will have more experience and power and will be even harder to beat.”
Away from the ring and sports, Jalolov is also a patriot.
Every January 14th he celebrates Uzbekistan’s military holiday by wearing his combat uniforms.
World title next year
By Wally Downes Jr.
BAKHODIR JALOLOV will have a world title shot in 2025.
A second Olympic gold in Paris in early August will only strengthen his position, but he already has most of boxing’s powers firmly on his side.
Heavyweight king Turki Alalshikh has already welcomed the amateur star to Saudi Arabia and promoter Bob Arum knew he was dedicated to competing in the 2024 Games when he signed him last year, so the wheels are turning perfectly.
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will decide an IBF boss on September 21 and Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will settle their two-fight rivalry three months later.
Then Jalolov will join in-form giants like Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel – who have seriously impressed in the Middle East since his takeover – in the competition for the four major titles that are doomed to fragment.
British prodigy Moses Itauma also appears to be at the top, but Jalolov has over a decade of experience and two Olympic gold medals would definitely put him at the top of the mega-money queue.
Saudi Arabia will hold a US show on August 3 in Los Angeles – with Andy Ruiz, Martin Bakole and Jared Anderson – and an eye-catching victory for one of these hulks will also put them in the mix.
But Jalolov – complete with his rare heavyweight stance, size, amateur pedigree and power – will be 2025’s golden guy.
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And in 2020 – to mark Uzbek Memorial Day on May 9 – he showed off his rifle-handling skills, flanked by soldiers.
In Paris, if the form book is to be believed, Jalolov is set to face Team GB hero Delicious Orie in a mouth-watering semi-final clash.
The Russian-born Brit with a great backstory will need to add another chapter to his story to win, having already suffered three defeats in 2024.
But it already promises to be incredible, as the Turkish cowboy sets his sights on yet another gold mine before turning pro and hunting for belts that match his stirrups and reins.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
