Ummataliev, 20, is one of if not the youngest of the Uzbek standouts to turn pro. He’s just over two months removed from that world championship win, which saw him beat the likes of Paris silver medalist Nurbek Oralbay and quarterfinalist Gabrijel Veočić without ever losing a scorecard.
The big question here is whether these guys are turning pro to chase titles or stay warm for LA 2028. For all the damage they’ve done in the amateur ranks, the most recent batch of Uzbeks have been notably slow to rise through the ranks since Murodjon Akhmadaliev’s and Ismail Madrimov’s heydays. Even outside of Bakhodir Jalolov’s parade of tomato cans, Shakhram Giyasov has shown no urgency to cash in on his long-owed title shot and Hasanboy Dusmatov blew his chance at an IBF title shot by coming in three pounds heavy for his eliminator.
These two are clearly special talents; hopefully they’re eager to show those talents off.
