Paris, France (August 11, 2024) - In what could be a historic moment for both the sport and the global stage, Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov secured his second Olympic gold medal in the super heavyweight division last night. Competing against Spain’s Ayoub Ghadfa, Jalolov delivered a masterclass in boxing, dominating the bout from the very beginning. The 6’7” southpaw, who already boasts a professional record of 14-0 with all wins coming by way of knockout, added another accolade to his impressive resume by securing a unanimous decision victory, underscored by two standing counts against Ghadfa in the opening round.

Jalolov’s performance was nothing short of commanding. Utilizing his height, reach, and southpaw stance, he kept Ghadfa at bay, landing powerful shots that forced the referee to intervene twice in the first round alone. From that point, the outcome seemed inevitable, and the judges' unanimous decision reflected Jalolov’s clear superiority in the ring. This victory not only earned him his second Olympic gold but also reinforced his position as one of the premier talents in amateur boxing history.

Jalolov, now 30 years old, expressed his immense satisfaction with the win, stating that becoming a two-time Olympic champion was a lifelong dream. With this dream now realized, Jalolov is expected to resume his professional career, where he remains undefeated. His pro journey, which began in 2018, includes victories over solid opponents like Kamil Sokolowski, Curtis Harper, and most recently, Chris Thompson in November 2023.

Jalolov’s extensive amateur experience, combined with his professional record, places him in a unique position compared to other 2024 Olympians who are just beginning their professional careers. His dual success in both amateur and professional arenas suggests a promising future as he transitions fully into the pro ranks.

However, Jalolov’s victory comes at a time of uncertainty for Olympic boxing. The sport, one of the oldest and most storied in Olympic history, faces an unclear future. Boxing has yet to be confirmed as part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, casting doubt on whether Jalolov’s gold medal-winning performance might be among the last seen at the Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed concerns over governance issues within the International Boxing Association (IBA), leading to the exclusion of boxing from the initial LA 2028 sports program. Many consider the differences between the two organizations to be political and the Olympics are no longer seen as a supporter of the sport of boxing.

In response to these developments, a new organization, World Boxing, has been formed in an effort to preserve the sport’s place in the Olympics. The IOC is expected to make a final decision next year, which will determine whether boxing will continue to be part of the Olympic legacy. For many, the possibility of boxing being permanently removed from the Olympics is a somewhat saddening prospect. The sport has long been a staple of the Games, providing a platform for future legends to launch their careers. However, as the Olympics have increasingly become entangled with political issues, the significance of the Games themselves has been called into question.