Zhankosh Turarov

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Zhankosh Turarov was born on November 20, 1990, in Kazakhstan, a country with a rich tradition in combat sports. This environment fostered his early interest in boxing, and he started training as a young child, progressively developing his skills in a culture that greatly values martial prowess.

 

Turarov’s amateur career was marked by several key achievements and participations that showcased his burgeoning talent. He consistently competed in Kazakhstan’s national boxing championships, where he stood out due to his technical abilities and tactical acumen. These championships were pivotal in shaping his approach to boxing, providing him with critical ring experience against some of the nation’s best young fighters.

 

Professional Career

 

Zhankosh Turarov’s boxing journey began garnering international attention after a series of victories across various countries. His professional debut was marked by a notable win against Talant Ukuev from Kyrgyzstan in 2009, followed by victories over Frank Paredes of Peru the same year, and Alisher Payziev from Turkmenistan in 2010.

 

His prowess in the ring led him to Nevada, USA, where he faced American boxers Johnny Frazier, Franky Martinez, and David Castillo. These fights captured the interest of promoters, leading to an invitation for Turarov to train in the United States. By 2013, he was in Miami training alongside fellow Kazakh boxer Kanat Islam under the guidance of coach Nelson Lopez Jr.

 

Turarov’s career took a significant leap forward in 2016 when he defeated Brazilian Joaquim Carneiro Batista in New York, claiming the National Boxing Association world title with a knockout in the first round. The following year, he continued his winning streak by defeating Argentine Bruno Leonardo Romay by unanimous decision in Astana.

 

In April 2019, Turarov signed with MTK Global management company, marking another milestone in his career. His managers, Ahmed A. Seddiqi and Askar Salykbayev, guided him to a fight against Argentine Mauro Maximiliano Godoy on July 6, 2019, for the WBO Inter-Continental junior welterweight title, which Turarov won in the third round. This victory not only maintained his unbeaten record but also secured him the 8th spot in the WBO junior welterweight rankings.

 

Most recently, on December 11, 2022, Turarov extended his undefeated record to 26–0 with a knockout win over Luis Enrique Romero, claiming the vacant IBO Inter-Continental junior welterweight title in the process. This bout underscored Turarov’s dominance in the junior welterweight division and highlighted his continuing ascent in the world of professional boxing.