Becoming a world champion has always been Shakhram Giyasov`s dream, but now it carries an even deeper significance.
Last month was incredibly difficult for the Uzbek welterweight as he tragically lost his young daughter. Despite this unimaginable pain, the 31-year-old boxer honored her memory by returning to the ring last night in Atlantic City. He achieved his 17th victory by knocking out Franco Ocampo in the fourth round. After a nine-month absence, Giyasov`s performance was especially remarkable considering the personal tragedy he has faced.
As the WBA`s top contender, Giyasov allowed the highly anticipated main event – the IBF/WBA unification fight at 147 lbs between Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis – to proceed. Following his win, he spoke about his unwavering dedication to a promise he made to his beloved daughter.
“I’m feeling good, I’m feeling great because I won. This training camp was very long for me. I lost my daughter. I don’t know how I am here, how I won, how I managed to win and get here after everything I’ve been through. I still can’t fully grasp what has happened. But I am a man of my word, and I promised my daughter that I would become a world champion. I am doing everything in my power to keep that promise. I must stay true to my word.”
Grief is an immense challenge to the human spirit, and Giyasov openly shared the emotional burden of preparing for his latest fight. “It’s very hard, it’s very difficult for me. Initially, I just cried, I was depressed, but then I remembered my promise to my daughter. I promised her I would be a world champion. It’s hard to explain, I don’t know how to put it into words.”
Still deeply affected by his loss, Giyasov expressed a heartbreaking sense of disbelief. “I feel like she’s at home, waiting for me. I just need to buy some presents and go home. Even now, I don`t fully realize what has happened. I just want to go home and I feel like I’m going to see her there, as always after my training camps and fights. She is always with me, in my heart. She is always with me.”
For Giyasov, the result of the main event or the identity of his next opponent is not important right now. His focus is solely on fighting for a world title and fulfilling his promise. “For me, the opponent doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter who wins [the main event]. First and foremost, I need a title fight. The name of the opponent is irrelevant, only the belt matters.”
