Sariosiyo, Uzbekistan (September 25, 2023) - Uzbekistan's Bakhodir Jalolov, the reigning Olympic and world super-heavyweight boxing champion, continues to honor his late father's dream of raising a boxing champion every time he steps into the ring. Jalolov is set to compete in the +92kg division at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and is preparing for his Olympic title defense in Paris next year.

Jalolov's journey in boxing began when he transitioned from a childhood love for football to boxing, following his father's wishes. His father, Isomiddin Jalolov, was a great Uzbek wrestler who aspired for his son to follow in his footsteps. Initially, Jalolov pursued football but eventually embraced boxing, recognizing his father's desire for him to become a boxer.

The road to success was challenging, marked by hardships and struggles. Jalolov faced injustice, poverty, and difficult journeys, often walking long distances at a young age. Despite these obstacles, his determination to fulfill his father's dream of becoming a champion motivated him to persevere.

Jalolov's boxing career gained momentum as he topped various competitions and remained unbeaten nationally in the 92kg class by the age of 20. He achieved significant milestones, including a bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships in Doha.

Tragically, Jalolov's father passed away before witnessing his son compete at the Olympics. Despite a setback at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Jalolov's determination to achieve his father's dream led him to become a world gold medalist in 2019. He secured an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021.

Jalolov's success has earned him accolades such as the state award 'Brave Boy' and the honorary title of the 'Pride of Uzbekistan.' He continues to build his legacy in both amateur and professional boxing, maintaining an unbeaten professional record.

After competing in the Asian Games, which serves as a continental qualifier for Paris 2024, Jalolov aims to become the first repeat super-heavyweight Olympic gold medalist. He also contemplates transitioning to full-time professional boxing in the United States for a new challenge.

Every fight for Jalolov serves as a reminder of his challenging journey and his unwavering commitment to realizing his late father's dream.

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