Jazza Dickens smashes Albert Batyrgaziev for interim WBA title

Jazza Dickens picked up his biggest win to date with a knockout of -1300 favorite Albert Batyrgaziev in Istanbul

Despite turning 34 in April, Jazza Dickens is officially having the greatest year of his career. Five months after upsetting Zelfa Barrett, Dickens knocked out Olympic gold medalist Albert Batyrgaziev in Istanbul (not Constantinople) today to claim the interim WBA super featherweight title.

The IBA posted the full video on their official YouTube page for those interested.

Batyrgaziev (12-1, 8 KO) had long struggled with chin issues, most notably suffering two knockdowns against Neri Ariel Cruz Romero in March, but his craft and nasty body attack consistently bailed him out. That wasn’t the case here, as Dickens (36-5, 15 KO) stayed aggressive and held his own in the pocket until a 1-2 took out Batyrgaziev’s legs and allowed Dickens to hammer him to the mat. Batyrgaziev beat the count, but Dickens continued to tear up his compromised foe until a chopping left floored him again and forced his corner to throw in the towel.

It’s been a hell of a resurgence for Dickens, who’d seemed destined for the scrap heap after a 2023 knockout loss to Hector Andres Sosa. He’s now got what looks like a guaranteed crack at Lamont Roach Jr, but it’s unclear how things will play out after Roach’s upcoming rematch with Gervonta Davis.

As for Batyrgaziev, this seems like the end of the road at just 27 years old. He’s just got too many defensive liabilities and lacks both the power and durability needed to compensate. When you’re getting scrambled by a light puncher like Jono Carroll and smashed by Dickens, whose most notable prior finish came over Andoni Gago, you might want to call it quits.