WITH Oleksandr Usyk close to retirement, the next dominant heavyweight champion has been named by a Polish journeyman with vast experience and tough guy credentials. Kamil Sokolowski fought Martin Bakole, Dillian Whyte and many more in his 42-fight pro career. The Czestochowa native says none of them came close to Bakhodir Jalolov.
The 15-0 Uzbekistan handed Sokolowski one of only four stoppage defeats, and he’s convinced the 2020 and 2024 Olympic champion will go on to conquer the world in the pros.
Asked to name his best opponents, Sokolowski, now fighting bareknuckle, said: “Jalolov.”
The Pole explained: “He had good movement, good skills and a strong punch. He hit very hard. He was the first who really hurt me. It was the first time I really felt it. He’s very dangerous.
“If he gets the right promoter he can take over.
“Bakole and Whyte were big and strong, but Jalolov was the best.”
Sokolowski is racing towards a shot at world heavyweight honours in the bareknuckle trigon. He’s had three first-round knockouts and says he wants another when he meets George Taylor in Bristol on Saturday, September 6.
“There is more fair play in bareknuckle,” he said. “There are no bad decisions. Many times when I boxed I was robbed. David Adeleye (a points defeat in April, 2021) is the best example, but there were many more. Bareknuckle is the same sport, but without gloves and bad decisions.”
Gustavo Trujillo is the heavyweight champion for promoters BKB and the Cuban is also 8-0 (7) in pro gloved boxing.
Visa issues have to be resolved before a Sokolowski-Trujillo fight can happen and the Pole said: “Trujillo is good, but he isn’t at my level.”
