Bahodir Jalolov faces criticism for his participation in the Olympics

Bahodir Jalolov, a member of the Uzbekistan national boxing team and a professional boxer, faced criticism from users on "WorldBoxingNews" after his victory at the Paris Olympics, sparking a controversial debate about the participation of professional boxers in the Olympic Games.

"Heavyweight boxer Bahodir Jalolov, who secured his second consecutive Olympic gold medal as a professional, received applause from sports fans. However, the fact that Jalolov, with 14 professional knockouts, celebrated victories over amateur opponents between 2021 and 2024 has led to considerable objections. In addition to his gold medal in Tokyo 2020, Jalolov stood atop the podium again in Paris 2024. His departure from amateur boxing after his victory in Paris does not alleviate the situation. Bahodir Jalolov should never have been allowed to participate in the Olympic Games. For amateur boxers, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of their careers; professionals should never be permitted to compete. This undermines the very essence of the Olympics," a user wrote.

For context, the Uzbekistan men's boxing team participated in the Olympics in full force, competing in seven weight categories and winning five gold medals. Alongside Jalolov, Hasanboy Dusmatov, Abdumalik Khalokov, Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev, and Laziz Mullojonov also became Olympic champions.