BAKHODIR JALOLOV is the 6ft 7in horse-riding, gun-toting Uzbek southpaw tipped to top heavyweight boxing after the Paris Olympics.
The 30-year-old leftie already has a winner’s medal from Tokyo 2020 and is the red-hot favourite to do the double in France.
And – in another embarrassment for struggling amateur boxing – he has been allowed to reach 14-0 in the pro ranks, knocking over all of the stiffs inside the distance.
The scary stats impressed Russia’s International Boxing Association boss Umar Kremlev so much he sent Jalolov a luxury BMW – complete with bright red bow tied across the bonnet – as a December wedding gift..
And the flashy gift from the controversial figure arrived with a whiff of ludicrous as it failed to blend in with the much more modest surroundings of Jalolov’s home.
With 37-year-old undisputed king Oleksandr Usyk, 35-year-old rematch challenger Tyson Fury and 34-year-old former champ Anthony Joshua all approaching retirement, the throne will soon need a huge and super-talented backside to take over.
And – even though 19-year-old Kent prodigy Moses Itauma has shown staggering early potential – giant Jalolov is earmarked to be the next monster success.
Legendary Top Rank promoter Bob Arum revealed Paris was always part of the plan when the US powerhouse did their deal with the ace.
The mastermind, who has played a pivotal role in the careers of icons from Muhammad Ali to Vasyl Lomachenko, explained to us: “When we signed Jalolov last year, his participation at the Paris Olympics was always part of the plan.
“I have the utmost confidence that he will win another gold medal.
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“We plan on moving him very quickly after the Olympics.
“He is a uniquely talent fighter, and I do not doubt that he’ll one day be a dominant heavyweight champion.
“His combination of size and power from a southpaw stance doesn’t come around too often.
“Every time I watch him fight, I am amazed by his composure and unique skill set.”
The devout Muslim is multi-talented too, judging from the photos and clips from his star-studded Instagram account.
Sandwiched between photos of Jalolov with Conor McGregor, Mike Tyson and Cristiano Ronaldo, are snapshots of his far-more pious personal life.
The 18st hulk knows his way around a stable and can even mount and ride a giant horse, without either of them collapsing.
I have the utmost confidence that he will win another gold medal.
We plan on moving him very quickly after the Olympics.
He can also bend a left-footed free-kick into the side netting from 25 yards so sweetly that – if he were English – Gareth Southgate would undoubtedly guarantee him three minutes off the bench in a pointless friendly.
One Englishman who already rates Jalolov very highly is 2016 Olympic silver winner Joe Joyce, 38 – who beat the rising star in Rio.
The Putney Juggernaut – who was robbed of a gold by scandalous judging – told SunSport: “He was quite young back then and I felt I was in my prime, unstoppable.
“It was a good fight, he tested me but I was ready and really ripping through people back then.
“He was fresh back then and a tricky southpaw, but I was driving through anyone to get that gold medal.
“That was eight years ago so he will have more experience and power and be even more difficult to beat.”
Away from the ring and sport, Jalolov is a patriot too.
Every January 14 he celebrates Uzbekistan’s military holiday by donning their combat fatigues.
By Wally Downes Jr
BAKHODIR JALOLOV will get his world title shot in 2025.
A second Olympic gold in Paris at the start of August will only strengthen his case but he already has most of boxing’s powerbrokers firmly in his corner.
Heavyweight kingmaker Turki Alalshikh has already hosted the amateur star in Saudi Arabia and promoter Bob Arum knew he was dedicated to competing at the 2024 Games when he signed him last year, so the wheels are turning perfectly.
Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will decide an IBF boss on September 21 and Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will settle their two-fight rivalry three months later.
Then Jalolov will join in-form giants like Joseph Parker and Agit Kabayel – who have seriously impressed in the Middle East since its takeover – in competing for the four major titles that are bound to fragment.
Brit prodigy Moses Itauma seems nailed on for the top too but Jalolov has over a decade of experience on him and two Olympic gold medals would definitely put him at the head of the mega-money queue.
Saudi is hosting a US show on August 3 in Los Angeles – featuring Andy Ruiz, Martin Bakole and Jared Anderson – and an eye-catching win for one of those hulks will sling them in the mix too.
But Jalolov – complete with his rare heavyweight stance, his size, amateur pedigree and power – will be the golden bloke of 2025.
Read more from Wally Downes Jr.
And in 2020 – to mark the May 9 Uzbek Memorial Day – he showed off his rifle handling skills flanked by soldiers.
In Paris, if the form book is to be believed, Jalolov should meet Team GB’s hero Delicious Orie in a mouth-watering semi-final clash.
The Russia-born Brit with the beautiful backstory will need to add another chapter to his tale to win, after suffering three 2024 defeats already.
But it already promises to be a cracker as the Turkic cowboy targets one more gold mine before turning pro and hunting down belts to match his stirrups and reins.
