From Uzbekistan to California: The Shakhram Giyasov boxing story

Uzbekistan is experiencing a boxing renaissance. Shakhram Giyasov is one of the fighters leading the way, but he continues to work for a title. 

Every child has a dream. Boxer Shakhram Giyasov was no different, but now, he’s closer than ever to achieving his ultimate goal.

Growing up in Uzbekistan, Giyasov always knew that he wanted to be a world champion boxer. At the time, the dream only existed in his head, but Giyasov didn’t leave his future up to fate.

“When I was nine years old, I went to the boxing gym for the first time,” recalled Giyasov to FanSided through an interpreter. “I got into the boxing gym without any permission. I got into the boxing gym and started punching the bag, and a coach got out and was like, ‘What the hell are you doing here? Who are you? You cannot be here without a parent.'”

“I remember saying, ‘You may get rid of me now, but you will see how I’m going to become a new champion.'”

Giyasov isn’t a world champion yet, but he’s dedicated to making his past declaration a reality. He eventually got his parents’ permission to train as a boxer and has accomplished an extraordinary amount since announcing his intentions.

When Giyasov started training, he only had two believers—his father and his uncle. It took some time to convince others of his potential.

“Only my uncle and my father were the only two people who truly believed in me and supported me all the way,” said Giyasov. “The first time, I became a national champion at the age of 15. It took me six years to become the number one [boxer] in the country. Since that time, people paid attention to me, and they started believing in me, and they started saying ‘that maybe this kid can be this and that.'”

Giyasov excelled as an amateur boxer. He accumulated titles and accolades, which hit a crescendo when he won the silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. It was a stellar achievement, but Giyasov wasn’t satisfied. As for most boxers, the Olympics act as a platform for jumpstarting a professional career.

Giyasov and other members of the Uzbekistan amateur team were ready to forge ahead with their world title hopes in the U.S. He tested the waters out on his own. Giyasov started in New York, trained briefly in Las Vegas, then headed to California. That’s where Giyasov’s life transformed for the better.

He worked out with some big names in The Golden State, including Freddie Roach and Manny Robles. Then, he traveled to the desert in Indio to train with Joel and Antonio Diaz. Nothing has been the same for Giyasov since.

“As soon as I got to Joel Diaz, I worked with him for the first time on the mitts, and I said this is the guy I want to work with,” said Giyasov.

“When you’re looking for a coach, you’re looking for someone that you trust, that you like somewhat, that you have the chemical connection with,” added Giyasov. “That’s what happened with Joel. They’re Mexican, Joel and Antonio. Very close to our mentality. Uzbeks and Mexicans have the very same mentality. They’re very simple people.”

Shakhram Giyasov feels a sense of belonging in Indio, CA, training with Joel and Antonio Diaz along with his gifted boxing friends.

Today, Giyasov trains in Indio alongside many of his countrymen, including junior featherweight world champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev, Israil Madrimov, Batyr Akhmedov, Bektimir Melikuziev, and Bakhodir Jalolov.  The Diaz brothers gained the trust of the talented Uzbek boxers and are guiding them towards supremacy in their particular divisions.

All of the names mentioned alongside Giyasov’s were amateur standouts who are gaining or already captured success. It’s not a coincidence that Uzbekistan is producing a rush of gifted boxers. Giyasov explained how the government sponsored and encouraged their pugilistic talents. There’s also something unique about growing up in Uzbekistan, according to Giyasov.

“Growing up there was tough,” explained Giyasov. “It was nothing like here. Things are very different out there. Kids are growing up by themselves a lot. The neighborhoods are very tough and rough. That’s what made me never give up.”

Surrounded by his compatriots in Indio, Giyasov feels at home. Their bond creates a team environment where all benefit from each other’s presence.

“Our team builds, encourages, and the spirit is the most important [thing],” said Giyasov. “A lot of guys are reaching the very top, not with the top skills, but with the most courage and the most spirit.”

Currently, Giyasov is 9-0, with 7 KOs. His next fight is on Saturday, Aug. 15, in the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma, live on DAZN. His opponent is Francisco Hernandez Rojo (22-3, 15 KOs). Giyasov is in shape and ready to continue his journey towards a world title.

Aside from excellent training, he’s encouraged by the praise he has received from the boxer he idolized as a child, Roy Jones Jr. Jones caught his 2018 bout against Miguel Zamudio in Atlantic City.

“After all the fights, my manager met with Roy,” recounted Giyasov. “Roy said, ‘All the fights were great, but that left hook from Giyasov is unbelievable.'”

At 27 years old and rated as the 33rd best junior welterweight in the world by Boxrec.com, Giyasov hopes for a title shot soon. Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez hold all the belts in the division, but he believes Ramirez would offer the least resistance.

“As a champion, if I would have to choose one to fight, I would probably start with [Jose] Ramirez,” said Giyasov. “I just think his style is easier for me. I’m pretty sure that I can outbox him. He’s a strong, physical, tough guy coming forward. I know that it will be a physical fight.”

A big win on Aug. 15 would go a long way in bringing him another step closer to Ramirez and his boyhood aspirations of being a world champion.