Bakhodir Isomiddin Ugli "The Big Uzbek / Brave Boy" Jalolov

...he's no longer competing tonight.

It wasn't an important match - he was slated to face fat French glass cannon David Gilbert Daniel Spilmont, a 33 year old with virtually no success beyond domestic level, on the Biyarslanov vs. Mimoune undercard in Montreal. But it was to be his first time lacing up professionally since 2023 after sitting out all of last year, so it very much was an overdue step towards finally getting active.

So what's the very good reason for it being called off? Well, at the weigh-in Jalolov announced that he fell ill. The nature of the illness was undisclosed but Jalolov said in an interview that his condition was chronic and flare-ups are usually linked to jetlag or "a change in air".

So my question is - why the hell didn't he fly to Canada earlier, if this is such a familiar and preventable issue?

The answer seems obvious. Jalolov simply doesn't care that much or have any sense of urgency about his pro career. It has become maybe a bigger joke than Ivan Dychko's at this point.

To wit: Jalolov, after competing four times in his rookie year of 2018, has made just ten appearances in the last six years. He fought:

• twice in 2019
• once in 2020
• twice in 2021
• thrice in 2022
• twice in 2023
• 0 times in 2024

Now, contrast with the amateurs. In the last two years, Jalolov has logged two dozen matches in the unpaid ranks. Twelve apiece in 2023 and 2024 - both years being essentially write-offs so he could focus on the IBA world championships and Olympics respectively. To be fair, this restructuring of priorities did earn him a laudable second gold medal in both events.

Contrast his legendary amateur status with his pro run, however. 7 years deep, and has what to show for it? His best scalps are journeymen Curtis Harper and Kamil Sokołowski. The massive Uzbek southpaw will be 31 come July. Sure, that's young-ish for a heavyweight - but there's less sand in the hourglass' upper chamber than in the bottom. Jalolov has spent more than half of his life now in the ring, with tons of rounds of sparring and fighting on his odometer. He can't wait around forever to make something happen...and certainly oughtn't have a blasé attitude towards blowing a whole training camp on poorly scheduled travel and neglecting to mind his own health.

 

Again: more amateur bouts just last year, and more amateur bouts just the year before, than pro bouts total since 2018. Madness.

 

Indio CA.

I think he only flew out midweek, the day of the weigh-in (yesterday) or the day before.

 

I almost half expect him to fart around for three years until the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Not sure it's a wise strategy. He's likelier to knock off a weak titlist in the post-Usyk era than he is to capture a third gold medal in his mid-thirties, IMO.

 

Makes sense that a respiratory issue would give him pause when it comes to advancing his pro career. Going three rounds in the amateurs, even three hard rounds, is a far cry from ten or twelve championship distance.

 

Harper also gets an unfairly bad rap for the quit job versus Ajagba, which I think a lot of people don't realize was him protesting against promoter corruption. At his best he's a decent trial horse.

 

Sad thing is Spilmont might've been his best pro win at this point.