The 28-year-old Izmailov, from Malgobek, Russie, is a former amateur standout who won multiple elite international tournaments. Already world-rated as a professional at just 5-0, 3 KOs, Izmailov recently started working with world-famous Florida-based trainer John David Jackson at his Action Jackson Boxing Academy in Fort Lauderdale.
Jackson, who has spent the last three weeks sizing up his new protegee, dit qu'Izmailov est un diamant brut en attente de polissage.
"Le ciel est la limite pour lui avec sa puissance de frappe," a déclaré Jackson d'Izmailov. "C'est un énorme puncheur, mais il a aussi des compétences naturelles en boxe. Comme un chasseur, Je ne pense pas qu'il réalise son potentiel. Je l'oblige à bouger davantage la tête et à lancer plus de combinaisons, au lieu d'un coup de poing à la fois. Rien contre ses anciens entraîneurs, mais une fois qu'il apprend à lancer trois ou quatre coups pour les mettre en place et camoufler les plus durs, il sera imparable.
Jackson dit que Ballard, 32 ans, sera un bon test pour Izmailov et ses nouvelles compétences, mais ne devrait pas pouvoir faire dérailler aucun de leurs plans.
« Ballard est bon, but Ali just has to pressure him and go to the body to break him down. Once his opponents feel his power, they all have a change of heart. Once Ali hits him with some good shots, it’ll be a matter of time.”
“Ali has amazing potential to be a star and John David is the perfect trainer to bring that out of him,” said Izmailov’s promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “I think you’ll see the improvements immediately under his expert tutelage. Ali was already the best prospect in the light heavyweight division.”
Tickets for “Best of Tomorrow 12” are priced at $25 - $1,000 and can be purchased online through Eventbrite.com. La nuit de combat, the action starts at 7:00 h. The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is located at 15801 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, MON. The event is sponsored by One Punch Knockout Gym, Topbreed Management, Pharaoh Website Hosting & Restaurant Online Ordering Service, MJ Diamonds, Family Tied Entertainment.