The upcoming IBA Pro Champions’ Night on July 2nd in Istanbul will feature not only professional boxing bouts but also bare-knuckle fights under the IBA banner. One of the main fight card highlights will be a clash between Turkish fighter Murat Kazgan, known as “Lord Pitbull,” and American Will Chope, nicknamed “The Kill.” In bare-knuckle competition, Kazgan, age 39, holds one win and one loss, while Chope, age 34, has three wins and seven losses. In 2022, the American competed in a bare-knuckle bout in Moscow against Martin Juaryan. Both Chope and Kazgan have experience in the BKFC league, as well as extensive records in MMA. Notably, Chope fought Max Holloway at a UFC event in 2014. He has also competed under professional boxing rules, holding a record of four wins, three losses, and one draw. Despite his extensive martial arts experience and international appearances, Kazgan will perform in Türkiye for the very first time, offering a unique opportunity for the local crowd to witness his skills live.

 

In another bare knuckle fight on the card, Russia’s Mikhail Tarabrin will also compete in Istanbul, with his opponent to be announced shortly.

 

The main event in Istanbul will be a professional boxing match between 2021 Olympic champion Albert Batyrgaziev (12-0, 8 KOs) of Russia and James Dickens (35-5, 14 KOs) of Great Britain. Both the WBA interim and IBA Pro junior lightweight titles will be on the line in this twelve-round bout.

 

In the junior welterweight co-feature, Armenia’s Hovhannes Bachkova, a 2021 Olympic bronze medallist and renowned amateur boxer, will face Uzbekistan’s Shohjahon Ergashev (25-2, 22 KOs).