Not so long ago, boxing fans in the know predicted Bakhodir Jalolov would be the heavyweight up-and-comer to take the baton from the leaders and run with it.

The two-time Olympic champion was wowing in the vested code to such an extent, in fact, that plenty believed it would only take a few years before the old guard were not just handing him a baton, they were also running for cover. Things haven't quite worked out that way for "The Big Uzbek".

On the May 9 undercard of the WBO heavyweight title clash between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, Jalolov will get a chance to remind us all what the fuss was about when he's matched with unheralded Croatian southpaw Agron Smakici, a 35-year-old with a 21-3 (19 KOs) record.

That Smakici, who has been stopped inside five rounds by each of Agit Kabayel, Artem Suslenkov and Zhan Kossobutkiy, is deemed a worthwhile foe for someone like Jalovov should only highlight further that things haven't quite gone to plan for the 6'7" southpaw.

Some might say that Jalolov's joint ventures in amateur and professional boxing, two very different codes, prove why it's generally best - if you want to be the best - to focus only on one task at at time. Jalolov, now 31, actually made his pro debut eight years ago - before he'd picked up either of his Olympic gold medals. His form of late, being taken the full distance (10 and eight rounds respectively) by Ihor Shevadzutskyi and Vitaly Kudukhov, only highlighted how far behind the leaders he remains.

All is not lost for Jalolov, 16-0 (14 KOs), however. He's ranked in the top 10 by three of the four sanctioning bodies, is still unbeaten, and a big performance againt Smakici, on a big heavyweight bill, could again make him a big deal in the heavyweight division. Should he be extended again by a man who has a habit of being knocked out in his sternest tests, however, and more of that old belief will disappear.

Also on the undercard is David Morrell, one of the world's leading light heavyweights, who takes on Zak Chelli in a curious fight that has a certain Jai Opetaia vs. Jack Massey/Ellis Zorro/Jordan Thompson ring to it. In the same division, Liam Cameron fights Bradley Rea, which like Morrell-Chelli, is set for 10 rounds. Meanwhile, at junior welter, Jack Rafferty and Ekow Essuman collide in an intriguing domestic dust up and Khaleel Majid will be tested by the ever-trusty Gavin Gwynne.