Albert Batyrgaziev vs. Jazza Dickens | DAZN - 2 July 2025

[Ruthless-RKO]

ALBERT BATYRGAZIEV RETURNS TO THE RING FOR JULY 2 HEADLINE CLASH WITH JAZZA DICKENS

Russian southpaw Albert Batyrgaziev will return to the ring on July 2 when he faces former world title challenger James ‘Jazza’ Dickens in Istanbul, Turkey.

Batyrgaziev is currently The Ring’s No. 9-rated junior lightweight as a result of his impressive rise to 12-0 with eight inside the distance.

His last four opponents have had a combined record of 79-2-1 with his most recent victory coming against the previously unbeaten Neri Ariel Cruz Romero via unanimous decision - but he had to survive two knockdowns in order to do so.

Now it has been confirmed that he will return to the ring on July 2 as he looks to continue his march towards the very top of the division. His opponent is Liverpool’s 35-5 (14) Dickens, whose last outing ended in victory over 10 rounds against Zelfa Barrett.

The pair will meet in the main event of the IBA.PRO 7 Champion’s Night event in Istanbul and it will represent the first professional outing outside of Russia for 2020 Olympic champion Batyrgaziev.

The 26-year-old currently holds the WBA super-featherweight ‘interim’ title, with Lamont Roach still considered champion by that sanctioning body despite his move north to 135lbs to face Gervonta Davis in March.

In the Istanbul co-main event, Armenian contender Hovhannes Bachkov, now 7-0 (6), will face by far the toughest test of his career to date when he takes on the Uzbek southpaw Shohjahon Ergashev.

[Bigdogsnose]

Jazza has to be on the verge of underappreciated. Hes been around forever, and will take on anyone. Good fighter, maybe lacks a bit physicality or pop but crafty and does his stuff.

Couple of losses where you think, well thats him done, but came back with some good wins.

This looks tough.

[Ruthless-RKO]

IBA Press Release

Undefeated Russian Olympic gold medalist Albert Batyrgaziev (14-0 including IBA pro fights) will put his WBA interim 130-pound title on the line against Liverpool’s James “Jazza” Dickens (35-5, 14 KOs) on July 2nd in Istanbul. The twelve-round main event, which will also be for the IBA pro belt, headlines the IBA.Pro 7 Champions’ Night, marking Batyrgaziev’s first professional fight outside Russia. Batyrgaziev's ninth-round stoppage of Ireland’s Jono Carroll last year underscored his power, while his March bout against Neri Romero revealed vulnerabilities after being floored twice, though he rallied to drop Romero and secure the win despite a point deduction.

Dickens, riding a three-fight winning streak, is coming off a career-enhancing unanimous decision victory over Zelfa Barrett. Having competed at 130 pounds early in his 14-year career before dropping down to 122 and 126, Dickens is no stranger to high-stakes bouts. His résumé boasts notable wins over Martin Ward (British super-bantamweight title), Leigh Wood, Ryan Walsh and Lerato Dlamini, the latter earning him the IBO featherweight belt. However, facing the 2021 Olympic gold medallist Batyrgaziev may mark his toughest challenge since retiring against Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2016 due to a broken jaw.

The IBA.Pro 7 Champions’ Night card also features an explosive junior welterweight clash between Armenia’s undefeated 2021 Olympic bronze medallist Hovhannes Bachkov (7-0, 6 KOs) and Uzbekistan’s hard-hitting Shohjahon Ergashev (25-2, 22 KOs). Adding to the excitement, the event will showcase bare-knuckle boxing under the IBA Bare Knuckle banner, with Russia’s Mikhail Tarabrin facing an opponent to be announced.

[SeanBrennan]

Jazza doesn’t get any soft touches does he? Big ask but I really hope he wins. I watch his channel and he’s a sound fella. Very self deprecating too.

[SeanBrennan]

And this isn’t a snide comment but is the IBA belt one that has meaning in other countries?

[Oiky]

Game and likeable fella Jazza

[margaret thatcher]

bert had some problems last fight, albeit after that torrid 3rd round he got a kd of his own in the 4th and won pretty much everything. i dont know if jazza can hurt him like the last guy did, but he is pretty quick compared to bert and could have some success. id guess the russian will eventually figure him out and take a decision. decent fight though

the iba seems to be a popular thing for east euro and central asian fighters. a lotta elite amateurs from those areas do iba fights on the side to complement their amateur careers. tbh, it's kinda slowed the boom of fighters from those regions committing to the pros, as it's given them more ability to straddle the line

not seen this iba world title belt around till now mind you, dont know about that, this fight is obvs more significant for the wba involvement

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight Week!!

[mickey1975]

The guest list for this is a bit over the top.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The guest list for this is a bit over the top.

What you mean?

[mickey1975]

The guest list for this is a bit over the top.

What you mean?

Naomi Campbell, Will Smith, loads of top name boxers past and present.

[margaret thatcher]

the iba is run by a rich shady russian dude , they seem to love gushing up to (often washed up) celebrities

seagal and mickey rourke also been regulars at russian fights. i remember the chechen president would have big parties with american celebs, some who evidently didnt know who he was, and fired members of their team when it got out that they were at his party

[handsofstone]

This is on DAZN

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is on DAZN

Excellent.

Midweek cards are good

[Kilburn]

Agreed.

Similarly, Spencer Oliver’s European title win over Krastev was a nice little Tuesday night fight.

The cracking double bill with Barnes v Vincent / Earl v Vanzie 1 was a Thursday night.

[Ruthless-RKO]

HOVHANNES BACHKOV TO FACE XOLISANI NDONGENI ON WEDNESDAY AS INJURED SHOHJAHON ERGASHEV OUT

Hovhannes Bachkov is still set for a stiff test, just not against the opponent he originally planned for.

The 2020 Armenian Olympic bronze medalist Bachkov (7-0, 6 KOs) will face Xolisani Ndongeni (33-6, 19 KOs) on Wednesday in Istanbul, Turkey, after the power-punching Uzbek southpaw Shohjahon Ergashev (25-2, 22 KOs) was forced to withdraw from their junior welterweight fight due to a left hand injury.

"Ndongeni is a great replacement opponent and we are expecting a tough fight against him," Bachkov's trainer Albert Ayrapetyan told The Ring on Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to seeing Hovhannes Bachkov put on another dominating performance for him to get one step closer to fighting for a world title.”

Ndongeni's losses have come at the highest level against the likes of Devin Haney, Raymond Muratalla, Arnold Barboza Jr., and Ernesto "Tito" Mercado. Ndongeni, a 35-year-old from South Africa, will be coming into the fight rejuvenated off an upset split decision win against the previously unbeaten Nestor Bravo in March.

Bachkov, a 32-year-old from Gyumri, Armenia, has knocked out his last six opponents.

The 10-round contest between Bachkov and Ndongeni will provide chief support billing for the IBA Pro 7 card headlined by the fight between WBA interim junior lightweight titleholder Albert Batyrgaziev and Jazza Dickens.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Undercard

Hovhannes Bachkov v Xolisani Ndongeni
10 x 3 minute rounds – super-lightweight

Ahmad Mustafayev v Madiyar Saydrakhimov
6 x 3 minute rounds – cruiserweight

Puneh Akhundtabarmazandarani v Mizhgona Samadova
6 x 2 minute rounds – featherweight

Gulsum Tatar v Milana Safronova
6 x 2 minute rounds – welterweight

[Ruthless-RKO]

Supermodel and major Hollywood star both set to be ringside for Jazza Dickens' fight this week

Jazza Dickens has a huge opportunity in front of him this week when he returns to action in Turkey on Wednesday evening, and he will have one major name from the entertainment world watching him.

Dickens will have the chance to make a big dent at the business end of the super-featherweight division when he faces Albert Batyrgaziev.

In the immediate aftermath, Dickens was linked to numerous high-profile fights including a showdown with Ray Ford, but his next chance to impress will come live on DAZN when he looks to end the unbeaten run of Batyrgaziev.

The fight is headlining a big show and as well as big names inside the ring, the stars will also be watching from ringside.

Anthony Joshua, Terence Crawford, and Naomi Campbell are all set to be in attendance, and Will Smith is also expected to make an appearance.

The rapper/actor, star of some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters such as Bad Boys and Independence Day, has previously been connected to boxing when he portrayed Muhammad Ali in 2001.

Now the man from Philadelphia will be in Istanbul as Dickens and Batyrgaziev go all out for super-featherweight glory.

[mickey1975]

Great performance from Jazza.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is it over?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Damn!!!

Well done Jazza!!

[Delta Jay]

Scouse Power. Pleasantly surprised

[handsofstone]

Dickens was excellent, showed his experience in there, Batyrgaziev brought volume and tried to fight in the pocket but Dickens was happy to take a few, block and parry most and get off with better harder shots and round 4 he short circuited Batyrgaziev's legs, put him down and never let him off the hook, Batyrgaziev was tricky to get knocked down again but a hard left done the trick, his legs were gone and a good call from his corner

[Delta Jay]

Just watched that. The ref looked absolutely devastated. Did NOT want Jazza to win that.

[Glass Joe]

Supermodel and major Hollywood star both set to be ringside for Jazza Dickens' fight this week

Jazza Dickens has a huge opportunity in front of him this week when he returns to action in Turkey on Wednesday evening, and he will have one major name from the entertainment world watching him.

Dickens will have the chance to make a big dent at the business end of the super-featherweight division when he faces Albert Batyrgaziev.

In the immediate aftermath, Dickens was linked to numerous high-profile fights including a showdown with Ray Ford, but his next chance to impress will come live on DAZN when he looks to end the unbeaten run of Batyrgaziev.

The fight is headlining a big show and as well as big names inside the ring, the stars will also be watching from ringside.

Anthony Joshua, Terence Crawford, and Naomi Campbell are all set to be in attendance, and Will Smith is also expected to make an appearance.

The rapper/actor, star of some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters such as Bad Boys and Independence Day, has previously been connected to boxing when he portrayed Muhammad Ali in 2001.

Now the man from Philadelphia will be in Istanbul as Dickens and Batyrgaziev go all out for super-featherweight glory.

Not been following this who's funding all these boxing personalities and celebrities to turkey