IBF Cruiserweight champion Vassily Jirov, the gold medal winner in the light heavyweight division and voted the most outstanding boxer of the olympic tournament. He is a classical body puncher, with power and skill that have not been seen in many years. Actually, he very well could be the best, ever.

Jirov is known as one of boxing's tough guys, one who always applies heavy pressure and can punch to the body with the best of anyone, breaking down the will and midsection of almost anyone he faces. It cannot be denied now, in light of Jirov's performances against Toney and Mesi, that he can compete in the heavyweight division.

His toughness and determination make it a lock that he will not be an easy mark, no matter who he is in against.Jirov has used an aggressive technique and devastating punching power to establish himself as one of the best fighters in the world today in any division. Especially noted for his vicious body attack, solid chin, toughness, and excellent boxing skills.

Jirov had an incredible beginning to his professional career. After only 2 years as a pro, he won the IBF Cruiserweight title against Arthur Williams in a 10 round blowout. Jirov has left no doubts in his last 6 fights since then, by winning them all by knockouts. Jirov has demonstrated that his Cruiserweight record of 30-1 with 25 knockouts is not fashioned from fluff. He has knocked out all of his number #1 challengers for his IBF Cruiserweight title in brutal fashion this year.

His opponents have all suffered terrible beatings, in which they would ultimately quit when Jirov's punches would would come crashing into their midsection. The sound of his body punches is unforgettible. If you've seen him fight, then you know what I'm talking about, as there is nothing like it. Nobody throws a body punch like Jirov. Maybe Rocky Marciano, but he never could throw triple left hands.

As an amateur, Jirov was second to none. Most of his opponents would run from the opening bell and it would be like game of cat and mouse, usually ending in the 2nd round when he would finally catch up to them and pound away with both fists until they would slip to the canvas (usually very hurt). He went on to amass an amateur record of 207 wins and 10 losses.

Jirov has used an aggressive technique and devastating punching power to establish himself as one of the best fighters in the world today in any division. Especially noted for his vicious body attack, solid chin, toughness, and excellent boxing skills. He has strewn bodies in the wake of the real Cruiserweight champion. Rest in Peace. Saul Montana, Earl Butler, and Alphonzo Washington.

Press Kit

Vassiliy 'Tiger' Jirov is an established world champion and a boxing legend. Jirov is unique to American boxing - a southpaw, who can box, punch, and take a punch. His profound boxing knowledge enables him to fight at any division. His fight vs. heavyweight 'Baby' Joe Mesi on the Mosley-Wright card was an exciting, dramatic, and spectacular event. It had the potential, like the fight vs. James Toney, to become the Fight of the Year. It was his second heavyweight bout and another appearance on HBO Sports. As a cruiserweight, Jirov won his first heavyweight fight vs. Adolpho Washington in 10 rounds fight by unanimous decision.
Vassiliy Jirov is no stranger to tests of physical and mental fortitude. As a youth in his native Kazakhstan, he was introduced to the sport of boxing when he visited a local gym with a friend. It was there that he met the coach of the Kazakhstan National Boxing Team, with whom Jirov would later become very close, and it was there that he endured some of the most bizarre and trying training techniques ever conceived. These 'exercises' included running down a hallway from German Shepard attack dogs, to reach the single door at the end. It was there, also, that he was molded into one of boxing greatest warriors, the tough as nails fighter we see today.

As an amateur, Jirov was second to none. Most of his opponents would run from the opening bell and it would be like game of cat and mouse, usually ending in the 2nd round when he would finally catch up to them and pound away with both fists until they would slip to the canvas (usually very hurt). Jirov would amass an incredible record of 207 wins against only 10 losses on his way to winning the Olympic Gold Medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, and being awarded with the Val Barker Cup for Outstanding Boxer. While in Atlanta, Jirov decided that he liked the United States well enough to live there, and made his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he remains with his wife and son.
Jirov had an incredible beginning to his professional career. After turning professional in January 1997, Jirov would quickly rise to the top, winning the cruiserweight title from “King” Arthur Williams on a six round technical knockout. Jirov has left no doubts in his next 6 fights since then, by winning them all by knockouts, including wins over tough opposition like power puncher Julian Letterlough and tricky Jorge Castro. Jirov has demonstrated that his record of 27-0 with 25 knockouts was not fashioned from fluff.
He has knocked out all of his number #1 challengers for his IBF Cruiserweight title in brutal fashion. His opponents have all suffered terrible beatings, in which they would ultimately quit when Jirov's punches would come crashing into their midsection. The sound of his body punches is unforgettable. If you've seen him fight, then you know what I'm talking about, as there is nothing like it. Nobody throws a body punch like Jirov.
Jirov met James Toney on April 26, 2003, and together they made for one of the most exciting fights in recent memory. Toney would emerge the winner after scoring a last second knockdown, but Jirov would gain a new level of respect among his peers. He translated that respect into a big opportunity at heavyweight, taking on the undefeated “Baby” Joe Mesi in March 2004. Although Jirov started slow, he came on strong late by knocking Mesi down once in the ninth and twice in the tenth and final round, but came up a point short on the scorecards. Had the fight been scheduled for twelve rounds, or even for an additional five seconds, Jirov almost certainly would have pulled it out. It was not, however, and Mesi took the decision. Jirov is known as one of boxing’s tough guys, one who always applies heavy pressure and can punch to the body with the best of anyone, breaking down the will and midsection of almost anyone he faces. It cannot be denied now, in light of Jirov’s performances against Toney and Mesi that he can compete in the heavyweight division. His toughness and determination make it a lock that he will not be an easy mark, no matter who he is in against.
Jirov's former trainer, legend Emanuel Steward has been pleasantly surprised at his boxing ability. Originally Steward was under the impression that Jirov was only a murderous body puncher and knockout artist, but since he's taken over training he's found out that Jirov is an excellent boxer. It seems that Jirov's previous trainer wanted to turn him into a power puncher, so he took him away from the great boxing moves he formerly possessed. Steward's plan was to bring back these boxing techniques to Jirov and get him away from just being a slugger.
Jirov has used an aggressive technique and devastating punching power to establish himself as one of the best fighters in the world today in any division. He is especially noted for his vicious body attack, solid chin, toughness, and excellent boxing skills.

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