The upcoming IBA.Pro 7 Champions’ Night on 2 July 2025 in Istanbul will feature not only professional boxing bouts but also bare-knuckle fights under the IBA Bare Knuckle banner. One of the main fight card highlights will be a clash between Turkish fighter Murat Kazgan, known as “Lord Pitbull,” and American Will Chope, nicknamed “The Kill.”

In bare-knuckle competition, 39-year-old Kazgan holds one win and one loss, while 34-year-old Chope has three wins and seven losses. In 2022, the American competed in a bare-knuckle bout in Moscow against Martin Juaryan. Both Chope and Kazgan have experience in the BKFC league, as well as extensive records in MMA. Notably, Chope fought Max Holloway at a UFC event in 2014. He has also competed under professional boxing rules, holding a record of four wins, three losses, and one draw.

Despite his extensive martial arts experience and international appearances, Kazgan will perform in Türkiye for the very first time, offering a unique opportunity for the local crowd to witness his skills live.

In another IBA Bare Knuckle fight on the card, Russia’s Mikhail Tarabrin will also compete in Istanbul, with his opponent to be announced shortly.

The main event of IBA.Pro 7 Champions’ Night in Istanbul will be a professional boxing match between Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Albert Batyrgaziev (12-0, 8 KOs) of Russia and former IBA champion James Dickens (35-5, 14 KOs) of Great Britain. Both the WBA interim and IBA Pro Super Featherweight titles will be on the line in this 12-round bout.

In the co-main event, Armenia’s Hovhannes Bachkov (7-0, 6 KOs), Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist and renowned amateur boxer, will face Uzbekistan’s Shohjahon Ergashev (25-2, 22 KOs) in a ranking fight under IBA Pro rules at 63.5 kg.

Tickets are available at the link.

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Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport

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