Jalolov defeated Torrez in the heavyweight final at the 2020 Olympics in August 2021 and may be headed for a rematch as undefeated pros.
Uzbekistan southpaw and 2021 Olympic gold medalist Bakhodir Jalolov, 109-15 in the amateurs and 14-0 with 14 stoppages in the pros, and Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez, Jr., 52-8 in the amateurs and 10-0 with ten breaks in the pros are considered two of the best heavyweight prospects.
Now fighting out of Brooklyn, New York, under Russian manager Vadim Kornilov, Jalolov won his second Olympic Gold Medal in Paris, France, defeating Spain’s Ayoub Ghadfa in the finals in August.
Although he has also fought as a professional undefeated in his fourteen fights, all by stoppage since May 2018. His biggest win was stopping Nigeria’s Onoriode Ehwarieme, 20-2, in the first round in August of 2023.
Then he returned to the amateurs winning fifteen in a row, including three wins in China and the Asian Games defeating Kamshybek Kunkabayev, 71-24, of KAZ.
In 2024, he won the Great Silk Way tournament in Baku with an unprecedented victory over Uzbekistan’s Jakhongir Zokirov, 27-3. After that, five wins in Russia, including over Uzbekistan’s Lazizbek Mullojonov, 57-10 by split decision, and Uladzislau Smiahlikau, 45-25, of Belarus.
Then to the Olympics with four straight wins, including in the semifinal against Nelvie Tiafak, 49-18 and Spain’s Ayoub Ghadfa, 37-23.
Torrez has won all ten pro fights by stoppage, including over Tyrrell Herndon, 21-4, Donald Haynesworth, 18-8-1, and Brandon Moore, 14-0, in his last fight in May for the vacant NABF Junior title. He is scheduled to face Philadelphia’s Joey ‘Tank’ Dawejko, 28-11-4, in Glendale, Ariz., on ESPN+ on Friday.
Could Jalolov and Torrez be on track to meet again in the pros?
