Bekzad Nurdauletov

Nurdauletov competed in the light heavyweight category of the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships, which took place between 9 and 21 September 2019. He won the gold medal, most notably beating Julio César La Cruz by decision in the semifinals and Dilshodbek Ruzmetov by decision in the finals.^[2]

Nurdauletov took part in the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the Asia and Oceania regions, which took place at the Prince Hamza Hall in Amman, in March 2020. He earned his place at the 2020 Summer Olympics by beating Shabbos Negmatulloev by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals, Odai Al Hindawi by unanimous decision in the semifinals and Paulo Aokuso by unanimous decision in the finals.^[3]

Eight months later, in November 2020, Nurdauletov participated in the Kazakhstan national boxing tournament. He beat Amandyk Manashev in the quarterfinals, Bekbolat Abdikerim in the semifinals and Nurbek Oralbay in the finals in the same manner - by unanimous decision. It was the first national boxing title of his amateur career.^[4]

Nurdauletov competed in one more major amateur tournament before the Summer Olympics, the 2021 Governors Cup, which took place in Saint Petersburg in April 2021. He beat his final three opponents (Dilshodbek Ruzmetov, Andrey Kosenkov and Imam Khataev) by unanimous decision.^[5] He would face Imam Khataev in the round of 16 of the Summer Olympics three months later, and suffered an upset split decision loss.^{[citation needed]}

Nurdauletov made his professional debut against Ibrahim Maokola on 31 October 2021.^[6] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.^[7] Nurdauletov was next scheduled to face Kabiru Towolawi on 16 December 2020.^[8] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 60–54 in his favor.^[9] Nurdauletov faced Farrukh Juraev in his third professional appearance on 6 November 2021.^[10] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 80–70, 80–71 and 80–71.^[11]

Nurdauletov was booked to face the undefeated Chico Kwasi for the vacant WBO Youth light heavyweight title on 5 February 2022.^[12] He captured his first professional title by a ninth-round technical knockout.^[13]