Russian press criticizes Jalolov's performance in recent fight

The Russian sports outlet "Championat" analyzed the latest fight of Uzbek professional boxer Bakhodir Jalolov, publishing a critical article about his performance.

QALAMPIR.UZ presents the translated version of that article in Uzbek for its readers below.

On the evening of April 5, a professional boxing event took place in Kazakhstan, where Uzbek super heavyweight Bakhodir Jalolov competed in his latest bout. Known as “The Big Uzbek,” Jalolov has long balanced his amateur boxing career with appearances in the professional ring—doing so with considerable success. He is a two-time amateur world champion and claimed Olympic gold at the Paris Games last year. Following that victory, Jalolov officially ended his amateur career to fully focus on professional boxing. 

By the time of this fight, Jalolov had accumulated 14 wins as a professional. He entered the ring with this record to face Ukrainian boxer Igor Shevadzutsky, who held a 12–2 record. Prior to this bout, Shevadzutsky had suffered defeats against Martin Bakole and Kubrat Pulev.

Jalolov was widely viewed as the clear favorite going into the fight. Reports indicated that Shevadzutsky arrived in Kazakhstan late and without any proper preparation—even skipping the official weigh-in. Given these circumstances, expectations were high for a dominant and swift victory by the Uzbek boxer.

At a pre-fight press conference, the 30-year-old Jalolov expressed his ambition to face elite opponents in the division.

“After a long break, I am ready to become the world champion in professional boxing. I want to win the belt as soon as possible. I want to fight the best in the heavyweight category, including boxers like Usyk and Joshua,” said Jalolov.

The Jalolov-Shevadzutsky fight turned out to be more intense than anticipated. As expected, Jalolov began at a fast pace, knocking down his opponent in the third round. However, the tempo gradually slowed as the bout progressed. Frequent clinches developed, and the fight went the full 10 rounds. Jalolov’s slowed performance drew boos from the audience, and even some boxing analysts began to question his potential in the professional ranks.

Jalolov’s record now stands at 15–0, though this marked the first time he failed to secure a knockout in his professional career. His opponent, Shevadzutsky, was not considered a high-caliber threat. Jalolov, traditionally a heavy puncher known for his footwork and precise technique, appeared to rely heavily on an amateur style that may not serve him well in the professional arena. His current fighting approach expends significant energy. While his stamina may have sufficed for five-round amateur matches, in professional boxing—where 10 to 12 rounds are standard—he risks fatigue. Being a two-time Olympic champion holds little weight if he cannot adapt to professional demands.

Additionally, Jalolov’s movements during the fight were described as predictable. Against Shevadzutsky, the repeated use of the “right jab–left jab” combination became apparent. Even when the Ukrainian blocked with his right hand, Jalolov did not alter his strategy, sticking to a single combination throughout the match.

In professional boxing, it is often said that styles make fights. Judging by Jalolov’s current style, he may struggle against top-tier opponents. Despite his desire to compete for a world title, he remains far from being in championship form. Observers suggest that Jalolov should take inspiration from Oleksandr Usyk, revamp his fighting style, and gradually increase the caliber of his opposition. Facing boxers such as Fabio Wardley or Martin Bakole under current conditions could prove disastrous.

Jalolov still has a long way to go. For now, a title shot seems unlikely.