Russian southpaw Albert Batyrgaziev will return to the ring on July 2 when he faces former world title challenger James ‘Jazza’ Dickens in Istanbul, Turkey.

Batyrgaziev is currently The Ring’s No. 9-rated junior lightweight as a result of his impressive rise to 12-0 with eight inside the distance.

His last four opponents have had a combined record of 79-2-1 with his most recent victory coming against the previously unbeaten Neri Ariel Cruz Romero via unanimous decision - but he had to survive two knockdowns in order to do so.

Now it has been confirmed that he will return to the ring on July 2 as he looks to continue his march towards the very top of the division. His opponent is Liverpool’s 35-5 (14) Dickens, whose last outing ended in victory over 10 rounds against Zelfa Barrett.

The pair will meet in the main event of the IBA.PRO 7 Champion’s Night event in Istanbul and it will represent the first professional outing outside of Russia for 2020 Olympic champion Batyrgaziev.

The 26-year-old currently holds the WBA super-featherweight ‘interim’ title, with Lamont Roach still considered champion by that sanctioning body despite his move north to 135lbs to face Gervonta Davis in March.

In the Istanbul co-main event, Armenian contender Hovhannes Bachkov, now 7-0 (6), will face by far the toughest test of his career to date when he takes on the Uzbek southpaw Shohjahon Ergashev.