Heavyweight boxer Bakhodir Jalolov claiming the Olympic gold medal for the second successive time as a registered professional has stirred up emotions in the sport.
The fact that Jalolov, a 14-0 pro with 14 straight knockouts, was able to win in 2021 and 2024 against amateur competitors has reopened old wounds with die-hard fans.
Jalolov secured the top podium spot in Paris 2024 to add to his gold in Tokyo 2020 [occurred in 2021] but immediately grabbed attention for the wrong reasons. Former Team USA star Shakur Stevenson didn’t believe the practice was fair and urged the American selection committee to allow pros to compete.
“The USA has got to start fighting firepower with firepower,” said Stevenson. “They need to let the pros enter the Olympics, too. I wouldn’t do that, though, I don’t think, as I hate fighting for three rounds. It’s too quick,” added the multi-weight champion.
The fact that Jalolov retired after his triumph didn’t ease the fallout, as plenty of detractors blamed the Uzbek for taking someone else’s dream.
“I devoted 15 years of my life to amateur boxing. Everything has an end, as it has a beginning. This day has come [to retire from amateur boxing],” said Jalolov.
“On this long way, there were many criticisms, many words, I made the right conclusion from all of them and got strength from them. I never fought in amateur boxing for money. I tried to raise the flag of my country high and win the gold medal for my country at the Olympics. Alhamdulillah, we made it!
“I would like to thank everyone who supported me on this path. My mother, my coaches, and all my people. We did it well! Now, my goal is to become the best in professional boxing. I think that this path will be passed together with you. I love you all dearly!”
Responses to Jalolov’s participation varied from strongly opposed to others who wanted the rules changed back.
“Bakhodir Jalolov should never have been allowed to compete in the Olympics,” said one. “For amateur boxers it is the pinnacle of their amateur careers, pros should never be allowed to enter. Makes a mockery of the games.”
Another stated, “Jalolov just be beating up amateur fighters as a pro.”
Jalolov was one of five Olympic champions healing from Uzbekistan in Paris 2024. Four of those five had already tasted professional action.
Boxing faces a fight to exist in Los Angeles in 2028 as the IOC considers dropping the sport altogether.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.