Kazakhstan’s Nurdauletov caused the main surprise of the whole AIBA World Boxing Championships

The winners of the eleventh day of boxing advanced to the finals of the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Yekaterinburg, Russia where out Asian boxers impressed once again. Among the 23 quarter-finalists, 15 Asians succeeded in the tenth competition day and eight advanced to the finals of the AIBA World Boxing Championships. Besides to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, India and Philippines also have finalists in Yekaterinburg.
Kazakhstan topped the medal rankings with six guaranteed medals, Uzbekistan earned five semi-final places and became second. Russia, Cuba and England proved also strong performance but Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are ahead of them in this competition. India, Philippines and Mongolia are the further nations in Asia which have semi-finalists in the Yekaterinburg 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships.
Altogether 107 Asian elite male boxers are attending in the event from 21 nations: Afghanistan, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Philippines, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games winner Shakhobiddin Zoirov moved back to the flyweight (52kg) and started his semi-final against France’s Billal Bennama with energetic boxing. The 26-year-old Uzbek had the speed advantage in the opening minutes and his pressurizing style was uncomfortable for the young French. The Uzbek southpaw landed strong jabs in the second round of the bout and his strategy worked well against Bennama. Zoirov controlled the fight and his speed decided their contest which means he became the first Asian who advanced to the final of the AIBA World Boxing Championships.
In the second semi-final of the flyweight (52kg) an Asian fight was held between India’s Asian Games winner Amit Panghal and Kazakhstan’s new sensation Saken Bibossynov. The smaller Indian used his counter-attacks to land punches while the Kazakh boxer was also competitive in the first round. Bibossynov attacked more than expected and did not use his distance well enough in this important semi-final. In the battle of the southpaw boxers the more experienced Indian was slightly better winning the fight by split decision and will be meeting for the gold with Uzbekistan’s Shakhobiddin Zoirov.
Uzbekistan’s Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov met in the semi-final of the bantamweight (57kg) with Mongolia’s Erdenebat Tsendbaatar which was one of the anticipated fights of the AIBA World Boxing Championships. Both boxers claimed gold medals in the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games and in the Bangkok 2019 ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships. The Mongolian moved down one category but he started the bout with quick attacks which motivated Mirzakhalilov to raise his tempo. The Uzbek was slightly better in their tough fight and will be meeting for the gold with Cuba’s three-time AIBA World Champion Lazaro Alvarez.
Kazakhstan’s Tursynbai Kulakhmet is the reigning ASBC Asian Champion at the middleweight (75kg) who has excellent footwork and tough jabs. The Kazakh had seriously hard road to the semi-finals of the AIBA World Boxing Championships and he was not able to deliver the same performance as in the recent days. His opponent in the semi-final Philippines’ last hope Eumir Felix Marcial looked enough fresh in this bout and his stamina was enough to beat the Kazakh therefore he will be able to fight for the final glory against Russia’s surprise Gleb Bakshi.
Kazakhstan’s Bekzad Nurdauletov received the right to attend in Yekaterinburg from head coach Mr. Galymbek Kenzhebayev and the 21-year-old motivated youngster delivered the main sensation of the day. Nurdauletov stopped Cuba’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games winner and four-time AIBA World Champion Julio Cesar La Cruz in their memorable semi-finals and advanced to the final of the light heavyweight (81kg). His final opponent will be Uzbekistan’s 20-year-old Dilshodbek Ruzmetov who bowed out England’s Benjamin Whittaker in another hectic bout.
Kazakhstan’s Kamshybek Kunkabayev walked over to the gold medal contest following his opponent, Australia’s AIBA Youth World Champion Justis Huni was unable to box in the day of the semi-finals. The Kazakh super heavyweight (+91kg) boxer will be meeting with his top Asian rival Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov once again. The Uzbek was too strong for Russia’s Maksim Babanin in the semi-finals and the Asian stars can meet in a repeat match in the last competition day.

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