Final night time, in what could show to be the final boxing match to happen on the Olympics, Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov defeated Spain’s Ayoub Ghadfa by unanimous choice to win the gold at tremendous heavyweight. The 6’7” southpaw – who has a listed professional document of 14-0 – inflicted two standing counts over the person from Spain, this within the opening spherical. The choice was by no means unsure and Jalolov is now a two-time gold medal winner on the Olympics, having gained gold in Tokyo as properly.
It was a commanding 2024 for Crew-Uzbekistan, with the nation taking residence 5 gold medals in boxing. Jalolov, aged 30, stated after yesterday’s triumph the way it had been his dream to turn into a two-time Olympic gold medal winner and that now he has achieved it he’ll resume his professional profession. At 14-0(14), and having boxed his professional debut again in Could of 2018, Jalolov went on to attain wins over first rate identify fighters comparable to Kamil Sokoloski, Curtis Harper, and, in his most up-to-date professional combat, happening in November of 2023, Chris Thompson.
It will likely be fascinating to see how far Jalolov can go within the professional ranks. Clearly an excellent beginner boxer, the tall, athletic lefty has a bonus over different 2024 Olympians now setting off on the skilled highway in as a lot as he has already fought these 14 official bouts.
Now, as as to if or not we are going to once more ever see boxing function on the Olympics. It’s, as followers know, very a lot within the stability, with our beloved sport not but listed as a function on the programme in LA in 2028. A brand new organisation, World Boxing, has been fashioned and it’s hoped boxing can and shall be saved as an Olympic occasion. An official choice is claimed to happen subsequent yr.
For therefore many individuals all world wide, the considered boxing being without end gone from the Olympics is just horrible. Boxing is in fact one of many oldest Olympic sports activities, and boxing on the Video games has been the springboard for therefore many greats of the ring.
Let’s all hope sanity prevails.
