Uzbek Ultras

We've a slight fetish for the partisan 'BRITISH TAKEOVER' in boxing which, hasn't really happened in recent times, regardless of how many times we photoshop David Price's head onto a semi-erect bulldog. However, a subtle wave has been amassing momentum gradually within the boxing scene and it's one not worth ignoring. Our travel is restricted by this Covid-19 bullshit (which I'm assured by Lee Froch is a cover-up for fatalities being caused by 5G, as agreed by 'experts') but still we shall venture virtually to Uzbekistan in order to further indulge my insatiable lust for former Soviet republic fighters.

Why should you give a fuck about Uzbekistan? Well, I'm going to outline a few reasons below but it's actually a pretty rock'n'roll country, boasting the second highest rate of modern slavery in the world for starters. The Andijan unrest back in 2005 brought with it allegations that there are hidden mass graves as a result of the disturbances - FUN! If you're going to have civil unrest then do it properly, lads. It is also an assiduously functioning cog in the motioning wheel of the Central Asian uprising within boxing.

Ruslan Chagaev is likely the first name to stride upon your lips when you sample the lofty cocktail of Uzbekistan and boxing. Chagaev was a staggeringly good amateur, which is often forgotten when discussing the man to get stopped by Lucas Browne. He holds AM wins over two of Cuba's finest Heavyweight boxers in Felix Savon and Odlanier Solis, from which we can establish that Dave Allen is therefore inherently better than those two as well. BLITZ SPIRIT, AM I RIGHT FELLAS? He made his professional debut whilst still competing in the AM ranks, which is something that gets a lot of folks apoplectic with rage for no particular reason. When the pro's drop back into AM tournaments they don't often tend to do all that well. The pro game and the AM game is demonstrably different but we apply that logic only in one direction. If you've been training as a pro for years and then drop to the AM's, you're at a disadvantage; it's a different game. Just look at when N'Dam dipped his toe back into that pool. Have you got a mate who is shit hot at 5-a-side but awful at 11-a-side? Same principle. I digress...

Chagaev churned out a decent enough career by all accounts. He lost to Wlad and Povetkin, two losses that bring with them no mockery. The Browne loss is a bit weak but Browne did get popped for PEDs after though Ruslan was to never fight again. It actually had a bit of drama if you can be bothered to watch it, notable for having a lovable tyrant ringside - Big Shagger Ramzan Kadyrov.

Remaining on the Heavyweight theme, we move onto a contemporary fighter in Bakhodir Jalolov. You might know Jalolov, he is a pro prospect (a very fucking good one) who infamously iced an amateur recently, perhaps contradicting my point above a tad but actually no it doesn't. The 25 year old hasn't actually fought as a pro since last April, racking up nothing but succulent W's in the AM game since. Time is very much on his side in that division, which I hope he returns to as the guy can really box. He's a big lad at 6'7 and moves extremely well despite that. He isn't amazingly different to Usyk in how he boxes, though not as polished but with a little more power. His straight left is his best shot, hopefully we can see it splatter some idiots in the pro ranks in the future.

Speaking of splattering people, let's move on to a favorite of mine in Shohjahon Ergashev. Ergashev is a fucking wrecking machine within the Light-Welterweight division and I'm all for it. His body shot KO of the admittedly limited Adrian Estrella was a devastating shot. He can box competently enough but is much more interested in trying to take your head off and that should only be encouraged. He did only just meander past the 6'3 long boi Mykal Fox, though Fox's stature is frankly mutant and he's an underrated fighter. Fox immediately took a win over an Uzbek - the talented Fazliddin Gaibnazarov (these fucking names, honestly) - in a charming revenge story. It's hard to scope Ergashev's ceiling at this stage but he is remarkably entertaining which is the name of the game at the end of the day. It wouldn't shock me to see him win a world title in the future.

On the topic of that division, quick shout out to Jamshidbek Najmitdinov. Whomst is this? Well, after Postol got his hymen volleyed in by Crawford he took a tune-up against this dude. Most people haven't seen that fight but I actually thought Postol should have taken a loss. Najmitdinov - the streets won't forget you, my brother.

Hardly a hidden gem but someone else likely to go to or around the top is Shakhram Giyasov. He's a Matchroom boy so I know you IFL nonces will have heard of him. He was last spotted taking Darleys Perez's soul in a round. Perez's contender days are behind him and were always below him in weight but that's still mightily venerable in your 9th fight. When boxing begins to exist again I suspect Giyasov will be moved along pretty rapidly. He hasn't really fought anyone to highlight any potential faults as of yet, so hopefully when Covid-19 (which was carefully crafted by Josh Kelly to duck Avanesyan again) is done, we will learn some more.

Whilst I have you sullen Matchroom types on your vinegar strokes, it's high time Israil Madrimov was mentioned. He's another who has been eviscerating his competition. He is yet to traverse down Murderer's Row but after only 5 fights he can be forgiven a little. He seriously looks the part though and I'm so settled on this hype train that I've just willingly pissed myself. Thus far he's displayed a little of everything: big hitter, technically solid and plenty exciting to watch. Typically one of those things tends to dissolve as a fighter progresses through the ranks but I've a feeling Madrimov is seriously legit. I get the impression he'll be one that is avoided somewhat. Hopefully Hearn sticks him in with confirmed retard Anthony Fowler so that CBD oil injecting freak can be vanquished from the scene.

We move on to a fighter already cemented around contender level and who I've mentioned plenty previously - Kudratillo Abdukakhorov. Kudra is scheduled to take on Lipinets next which is a very cool fight. Kudra won't be a world champion, frankly. He may not actually beat Lipinets in all honesty but either way he's still a very useful fighter. He boxes off the back foot beautifully and throws his hands quickly too. He lacks serious pop though and some of the stronger guys at Welterweight are going to walk him down. When normality returns upon us, the winner of Kudra-Lipinets will be fed to Spence. I've no idea what the Paul Walker version of Spence will be like but both guys are a level or two below him at his best. I hope I'm proven wrong on this one though as I enjoy hearing people try to pronounce his name.

Finally, we reach top of the pile now. Murodjon Akhmadaliev currently holds the WBA and IBF belts down at Super-Bantamweight. He managed to do that after just 8 fights, besting a very capable Daniel Roman in an extremely competitive affair. Roman expressed interest in a rematch which would make some sense though I think Akhmadaliev just has too many facets to his game. He was able to fight well at range and inside, closing the distance where required and shutting off Roman's avenues to produce successful body work. There were talks of him also potentially fighting Nery or Navarette, both of which are tremendous fights. The win over Roman is probably as accomplished as it realistically gets in that division at present and again, to unify after 8 fights is phenomenal. He has set a high standard indeed, not just in winning a world title, not just in unifying world title but in matching Leon Spinks' record in doing it all by 8 fights. Fair fucks to you, MJ.

And that's pretty much where we are at with Uzbekistan at present. They've some exceptional talent in their amateur ranks at resent which will make itself known more over time. Pretty impressive for a country most people think is Borat's catchphrase.