Asilbek Jalilov and Nursultan Altynbek are one step away to win their second Asian U22 titles

The first part of the male U22 semi-finals concluded in the ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championships in Astana on Day8. 

India’s Vishvanath Suresh and Philippines’ Jay Bryan Baricuatro both eliminated tough opponents in the quarter-finals of the U22 minimumweight (48kg). The Filipino started the bout with heavy attacks but Suresh responded immediately and their first round delivered a fantastic battle between them. The referee counted both boxers in the second round and the 3:2 split decision meant that a bout review required to decide this impressive semi-final. The 20-year-old Suresh was favoured in this review and he marched to his next Asian final after the 2022 edition.

Kazakhstan’s Yernar Karap was nervous in the first preliminary round but he worked much better in the key quarter-final. The Kazakh minimumweight (48kg) boxer and his opponent, Mongolia’s Otgonbayar Tuvshinzaya both landed several shots in the first round. Karap is a new addition to their U22 national team but he bowed out the Mongolian and he can prepare to his first Asian final.

Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov had the height advantage against India’s Jadumani Singh Mandengbam who enjoyed a tight success in the quarter-finals. The Uzbek was the Asian U22 Champion in 2022 and he used his counter-attacking style of boxing to land his shots from his safest distance. Singh was not able to get closer to the fast Uzbek and Jalilov saved fuel in the last round for his upcoming flyweight (51kg) final bout.

Kenzhe Muratuly had to replace the World Champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay in the final minute but he had a quick success in the quarter-finals of the flyweight (51kg). The 21-year-old Kazakh faced with a younger teenager opponent, Kyrgyzstan’s Asian Youth silver medallist Bekzat Ergeshov in the last four. He was not in shape today but his skills were enough to eliminate the younger Ergeshov therefore he will meet Jalilov for the gold medal.

Philippines’ Flint Jara repeated his performance from the last edition, he earned a medal in the Astana edition as well. The Filipino bantamweight (54kg) boxer had a tough tactical battle against Mongolia’s Enkhsaikhan Oyun-Erdene who surprised Jara with his effective jabs in the first round. Oyun-Erdene still increased his speed and his second heavy shot in the next period was lethal for the Filipino therefore the referee confirmed the KO victory of the young Mongolian.

Uzbekistan’s Khujanazar Nortojiyev and Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Altynbek both earned Asian titles during their boxing career but they had to meet already in the semi-finals of the bantamweight (54kg). The Uzbek moved forward in the first and second rounds but Altynbek had the routine and speed to avoid most of the punches from Nortojiyev’s side. Some of Altynbek’s counter-punches were spectacular in the third round therefore he managed to win their semi-final by split decision.

The Youth World silver medallist Yerbolat Sabyr is the next huge prospect from the city of Pavlodar after Serik Temirzhanov. The tall featherweight (57kg) boxer knew his opponent very well as Tajikistan’s Khusravkhon Rakhimov spent a lot of time in Kazakhstan in various competitions. Both had excellent technical skills and their first round was like a fencing match in Astana where Rakhimov was highly competitive but Sabyr marched to the finals.

Philippines’ Mark Ashley Fajardo knocked out his previous opponent within 10 seconds and he has done the same job in the Asian Games and several other competitions as well. The 19-year-old Filipino met Kazakhstan’s Yerassyl Tankay in the last four and this time he was on the floor in the first round. Tankay landed a powerful shot in the end of the first round which was a turning point of their light welterweight (63.5kg) semi-final bout in Astana.

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