Dusmatov, Yeraliyev, Kholdarov and Amankul are finalists in the Hamburg 2017 AIBA World Boxing Championships
The first parts of the semi-finals were held in the sixth competition day at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Hamburg where 10 bouts were in the official program. Eight Asian boxers were in action today and among them Hasanboy Dusmatov, Kairat Yeraliyev, Ikboljon Kholdarov and Abilkhan Amankul advanced to the final of the competition.
The total number of the boxers is 243 from 75 nations and among them 57 Asian competitors will be attending for the medals in Hamburg from 15 countries from our continent. Among the 57 Asian boxers 26 advanced to the quarter-finals and 15 claimed guaranteed medals from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, India and South Korea.
Light flyweight (49kg):
Uzbekistan’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games winner and two-time ASBC Asian Champion Hasanboy Dusmatov eliminated Costa Rica’s taller Robinson Rodriguez and India’s Amit Panghal in the previous rounds at the Hamburg 2017 AIBA World Boxing Championships. The Uzbek boxer delivered such a strong performance in the recent two contests and looked quicker than his Colombian opponent, Yuberjen Martinez. Their contest was the repeat match of the final of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Dusmatov launched his quick counter-attacks from double defence and his successful attacks meant he was able to win his key semi-final.
Kazakhstan’s Yerzhan Zhomart received a reserve place for the Hamburg 2017 AIBA World Boxing Championships but he eliminated Guatemala’s Michael Tello, Philippines’ AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Rogen Ladon and Russia’s AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist Vasilii Egorov in the road to the semi-finals in Hamburg. The Kazakh boxer met with Cuba’s defending AIBA World Champion Joahnys Oscar Argilagos but did not find well the fighting distance therefore achieved a bronze medal in the Hamburg 2017 AIBA World Boxing Championships which is his career highlight.
Bantamweight (56kg):
Kazakhstan’s AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Kairat Yeraliyev eliminated a taller opponent Mexico’s Christopher Florez, Uzbekistan’s seed No.1 Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Germany’s Omar El Hag in the road to the semi-finals. The 27-year-old experienced Kazakh boxer tried to keep the best fighting distance against England’s EUBC European Champion Peter McGrail in their tricky game. The Kazakh boxer used the perfect patient tactic against his younger European opponent and advanced to the final of the event.
India’s Gaurav Bidhuri moved up to the bantamweight (56kg) in the recent months but it was such a successful decision from the 23-year-old hopeful. The Indian boxer eliminated Australia’s AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Samuel Goodman Ukraine’s star Mykola Butsenko and Tunisia’s Bilel M’Hamdi to the road to the semi-finals in Hamburg. The Indian boxer, who moved up from the flyweight (52kg), met with United States’ Chemistry Cup winner 20-year-old Duke Ragan in the semi-final. Bidhuri moved forward from the first seconds against his US opponent but Ragan had effective counter-attacks today which meant the Indian achieved bronze medal in Hamburg.
Light welterweight (64kg):
Uzbekistan’s defending and one of the youngest team member in Hamburg, ASBC Asian Champion Ikboljon Kholdarov was born only in 1997 but he is among the best boxers in the category. The Uzbek boxer eliminated Colombia’s John Lennon Gutierrez and Germany’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist Artem Harutyunyan in the previous rounds.. Kholdarov used his strength in the semi-final against United States’ 19-year-old Freudis Rojas and moved closer to his taller opponent in the first round. Kholdarov launched punches also during movements as well which was dangerous for Rojas mainly in the second round. The Uzbek boxer was more effective in their semi-final and advanced to the final in his first ever AIBA World Boxing Championships.
Middleweight (75kg):
Kazakhstan’s WSB Team Champion and ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medallist Abilkhan Amankul lost only three contests in the recent two and half years and arrived as a favourite to Hamburg. The 20-year-old Kazakh boxer eliminated Australia’s Campbell Sommerville, Germany’s Silvio Schierle and did revenge against Cuba’s Rio 2016 Olympic Champion Arlen Lopez. The Kazakh boxer was excellent in the semi-final against Azerbaijan’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist Kamran Shakhsuvarly in Hamburg. Their exchanges were strong but Amankul was more concentrated in the second part of their contest and after Yeraliyev, he was able to go into the finals.
Heavyweight (91kg):
Kazakhstan’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist and three-time ASBC Asian Champion Vassiliy Levit defeated Brazil’s Juan Goncalves Nogueira and Australia’s Jason Whateley in his opening two contests. The veteran Kazakh boxer did not win any medal in the history of the AIBA World Boxing Championships until the Hamburg event but he was still hungry for the further successes. The Kazakh boxer was in top shape in the third round against Cuba’s Erislandy Savon which was a repeat match after the semi-finals of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. His efforts in the final minutes were not enough to turn back the bout therefore Levit achieved bronze this time.
Uzbekistan’s ASBC Asian Youth Champion 19-year-old Sanjar Tursunov is their youngest team member who exceeded all of the expectations with his place in the semi-finals. The Uzbek teenager eliminated Nicaragua’s Jeffry Gonzalez, Argentina’s AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Yamil Alberto Peralta and Netherlands’ Roy Korving in his first three contests in Hamburg. Tursunov had another strong performance against the 15cm taller Russian star, Rio 2016 Olympic Champion Evgeny Tishchenko and he proved he will have a bright future in our sport in spite of his close defeat today.