Albert Batyrgaziev

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Albert Batyrgaziev was born on June 23, 1998, in the village of Kizlyar in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. Growing up in a region known for its strong wrestling and combat sports tradition, Batyrgaziev was naturally drawn to martial arts from a young age. He initially practiced kickboxing and quickly excelled, becoming a national champion. His success in kickboxing laid a solid foundation for his transition to boxing, where he aimed to further hone his skills and achieve greater success. Batyrgaziev’s transition to boxing was marked by rapid progress and significant achievements. He quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the amateur boxing scene. In 2017, he won the Russian National Championships in the featherweight division, a significant milestone that demonstrated his talent and potential. This victory earned him a spot on the national team, allowing him to represent Russia in international competitions.

 

One of Batyrgaziev’s most notable achievements came in 2019 when he competed at the European Games in Minsk, Belarus. He showcased his exceptional skill and determination, advancing through the tournament and ultimately winning the gold medal in the featherweight category. This victory not only solidified his reputation as one of Russia’s top amateur boxers but also highlighted his ability to perform under pressure on the international stage. Batyrgaziev’s amateur career reached its pinnacle at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Competing in the featherweight division, he displayed remarkable skill and composure throughout the tournament. Batyrgaziev’s journey culminated in a gold medal victory, making him one of the few athletes to have successfully transitioned from kickboxing to winning an Olympic gold medal in boxing.

 

Professional Career

 

Albert Batyrgaziev transitioned to professional boxing after a highly successful amateur career, making his professional debut on July 3, 2020, against Armen Ataev at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, Russia. Batyrgaziev demonstrated his skill and power, securing a victory when Ataev retired in the seventh round. This win earned Batyrgaziev the vacant WBA Asia East super-featherweight title, setting a strong foundation for his professional career.

 

Batyrgaziev continued his winning streak with a series of impressive performances. On August 22, 2020, he faced Erzhan Turgumbekov at the Pyramids in Kazan, Russia, where he won by TKO in the tenth round. This victory showcased his ability to maintain high performance over extended rounds. On January 29, 2021, he defeated Sibusiso Zingange by TKO in the seventh round at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable contender in the featherweight division.

 

One of Batyrgaziev’s notable achievements came on October 11, 2021, when he won the vacant WBO European featherweight title by knocking out Suat Laze in the second round at the Ice Palace Salavat Yulaev in Ufa, Russia. He continued his dominance with a TKO victory over Franklin Manzanilla on December 24, 2021, at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace, capturing the vacant IBF International featherweight title. In 2022, Batyrgaziev stepped up to the lightweight division and won the vacant EBP lightweight title on April 3 by defeating Heybatulla Hajialiyev via unanimous decision at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace. Later that year, on November 11, he secured another unanimous decision win over Ricardo Nunez at the same venue, showcasing his adaptability and skill in a higher weight class.

 

Batyrgaziev’s momentum continued into 2023 with a significant victory on February 4, when he defeated former world champion Jezreel Corrales by corner retirement in the ninth round at the Sport Palace “Nadezhda” in Serpukhov, Russia. This win highlighted his ability to compete against top-tier opponents. He followed this with a unanimous decision victory over Francis Frometa on July 28 at the Tennis Centre in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, extending his undefeated record to 9-0.