Did the "boxing night" in Astana end as expected for Bahodir Jalolov?
The number of criticisms against Bahodir Jalolov, a two-time Olympic champion who has gained high attention in the world of boxing, has sharply increased after his last fight. According to an analytical article published by the Russian Championat publication, the fight in Astana did not meet the expectations of the fans.
What sparked international criticism?
On March 5, during a boxing evening in Astana, Bahodir defeated 36-year-old Ukrainian Igor Shevadzutskiy by a judges' decision. At first glance, this is a simple result. However, experts and specialists assessed this fight as lackluster, spiritless, and even frightening.
Shevadzutskiy was informed about this fight very shortly, just one day before the match, and rushed to Kazakhstan. Even in such circumstances, defeating him was not easy for Bahodir — this raised the question for many: “Is Jalolov not ready for tough opponents anymore?”
Championat: “Jalolov should take example from Usyk”
Championat analysts are advising Bahodir Jalolov to take inspiration from Ukrainian heavyweight star Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk's development path, opponent selection strategy, and fighting style are all crucial factors that have turned him into a world champion.
“Jalolov needs to reconsider his current style and fight frequently with strong opponents. Otherwise, he will face complex obstacles in reaching championship belts,” the article states.
“If he fights Fabio Wardley or Bakole, the situation will worsen”
Experts believe that if Bahodir steps into the ring with high-level opponents like Fabio Wardley or Martin Bakole soon, it may not end in his favor.
It is worth mentioning that the fight against Shevadzutskiy also halted Bahodir's winning streak of 14 fights. This raised new questions about his form and motivation.
It’s time to prepare for a new stage
Jalolov's victories in amateur boxing are undeniable. However, the professional ring is a different world. Now he needs to fight high-level opponents and develop through experience and challenges. Fans are expecting new spirit, new approaches, and new victories from him.
Zamin.uz asks its readers:
Who do you think Bahodir Jalolov should fight next? Does Usyk's style suit him?
