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.