ISTANBUL, TURKIYE — James ‘Jazza’ Dickens produced a career-best performance to stun Albert Batyrgaziev via fourth-round knockout at a star-studded IBA Pro 7 event in Istanbul, Turkiye.

With ringside observers such as pound-for-pound star Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford and heavyweight icon Tyson Fury, the bout — scheduled for twelve rounds for the WBA ‘Interim’ and IBA Pro super-featherweight titles — began at an electric pace with both men landing heavy blows from the opening bell.

However, Dickens (36-5, 15 KOs) would take control of the fight in the third round, targeting the mid-section of the previously-unbeaten Batyrgaziev (12-1, 8 KOs), before unleashing a thunderous left hand in the fourth to send the 2020 Olympic gold medallist crashing to the canvas.

Despite a brave effort from the Russian champion, Dickens would not be denied, scoring another vicious knockdown to send Batyrgaziev through the ropes and almost on to the floor.

Though he managed to beat the count for a second time, the towel would come in from the Batyrgaziev corner shortly afterwards, handing the Brit the stoppage victory at 2:26 of the fourth session.

“Thank you Jesus. I always believed in what the Lord had planned for me. Even when it was hard, I believed in the Lord’s will.” Dickens said after his sensational upset victory.

“There was a point the second round where I changed up my tactics, because the tactics I implemented weren’t the tactics that we went in with, but I saw something. My coach said to me ‘I see what you’re doing, it’s working. Stick with that.’ – and we changed the tactics after round two.”

“Me and my Dad started off together, training in the house. None of this would be possible if my father didn’t believe in me. The man I am is because of the belief he showed in me… and now I’m world champion!”

IBA President Umar Kremlev graciously congratulated Dickens after the end of the contest, praising the Liverpudlian’s skill and determination in overcoming his formidable opponent, before discussing a potential rematch between the two men in the future.

“You are a true fighter and a true boxer.” Kremlev told Dickens.

“This is boxing. The best win. He [Batyrgaziev] has to prepare better and train better. You are the best, he is the best, you are two strong boxers. Let him train and practice and we can have a rematch. We are ready to organise it.

“My congratulations to you for the victory, so let’s get ready for the next event!”

Elsewhere on the undercard, unbeaten super-lightweight contender Hovhannes Bachkov dominated the teak-tough Xolisani Ndongeni to score a ninth-round TKO victory.

Bachkov, who moved to 8-0 (7 KOs) with the win, delivered a merciless body attack throughout, hurting Ndongeni on several occasions with a series of thudding left-hooks to the mid-section.

The finish would come in the penultimate round, when another violent body attack sent Ndongeni crumpling to the canvas, forcing the match-up to be waved off at 1:33 of the ninth.

Uzbek cruiserweight talent Madiyar Saydrakhimov continued his unblemished start to life as a professional, but had to survive a fifth-round knockdown en-route to a UD6 victory over Ahmad Mustafayev. 

2024 Paris Olympian Mizhgona Samadova impressed on her IBA Pro debut, with the Tajik outpointing Puneh Akhundtabarmazandarani of Iran over six in their light-flyweight contest.

Kazakh lightweight Milana Safronova produced a clinical display over six, dropping Türkiye’s Gulsum Tatar in the fifth round before securing a comprehensive points win in their IBA Pro bout.

In the evening’s bareknuckle offering, Turkish banger Murat Kazgan outpointed Australia’s Will Chope over three, while Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kokhanchik dropped Elnur Suleymanov of Azerbaijan in the opener before securing a three round decision win.

Albert Batyrgaziev and Jono Carroll will step into the ring on Friday, July 12 to fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super featherweight belt in Serpukhov, Russia. 

The home fighter will face the experienced Irishman in a very interesting and important duel for both fighters, since the winner will have the opportunity to win the interim crown, which will give him the chance to fight the champion of the category, who is currently Lamont Roach Jr.

Batyrgaziev is a Tokyo 2020 Olympic featherweight champion in  (that was disputed in 2021) who jumped to the professional four years ago, even before winning the medal. His professional path has been successful and now he finds himself with this opportunity to show his talent and his ability in the paid boxing. 

His opponent will be Carroll, 32 years old, who  defeated Miguel Marriaga last year and has victories against rivals like Scott Quigg and Andy Vences, so he comes to impose that experience and try to beat the local. 

This week they will take the promotional events leading up to the fight and on Thursday they will step up to the scales. Batyrgaziev has 10 wins, 7 by knockout, while Carroll has 24 wins, 2 setbacks, 1 draw and 7 finishes before the limit.