Oleksandr Usyk's career is winding down, with only two fights left before he hangs up his gloves. As the undisputed heavyweight champion gets ready to step away, many fighters are lining up for a shot at glory against him.
One of those fighters is Bakhodir Jalolov, the Uzbek heavyweight who's making waves in the professional ranks. Jalolov, a gold medalist with a dominant amateur career, has turned heads with his perfect 14-0 professional record. All of his wins have come by knockout, showcasing his devastating power.
The towering southpaw isn't shy about his ambitions. In a recent interview with The Ring Magazine, Jalolov made it clear he's ready for the big time:
"This is a very big chance back to [go back to the pros], now I have finished [in the] amateurs, now I am focused only on pros, now I am ready for any top fights."
Jalolov's not just talk. He's eager to test himself against the best, including Usyk:
"If they gave me two or three months, I would be ready for Usyk … It is very interesting for me to compare my power with Usyk and [former heavyweight champion Anthony] Joshua because they are also Olympic champions. They reached good achievements as professionals."
The Uzbek fighter's confidence is backed by his impressive skills. His promoter, Bob Arum, has called him a future dominant champion. With his next fight scheduled for April 5 in Kazakhstan, Jalolov is looking to make a statement.
Usyk, meanwhile, has his own plans. The Ukrainian star wants to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion with a second fight against Daniel Dubois. He's already beaten some of the biggest names in boxing, including Murat Gassiev, Mairis Briedis, Anthony Joshua, and Tyson Fury.
As Usyk's career comes to a close, the heavyweight division is heating up. Jalolov's message to his fellow heavyweights is clear:
"I am coming, wait guys, I am coming… be careful."
With his combination of size, power, and skill, Jalolov could be the next big thing in heavyweight boxing. The coming months will show if he can live up to the hype and challenge the division's elite.
