Suresh, Altynbek, Mukatayev and Zokirov won their next Asian titles in the U22 male finals

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May 7, 2024
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The U22 male finals delivered excellent battles at the ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan today.

The first U22 final was held between India’s Vishvanath Suresh and Kazakhstan’s Yernar Karap at the men’s minimumweight (48kg). The Kazakh southpaw moved forward but Suresh had several good responses in the first round from counter-attacking range. The Indian used his virtuoso style of boxing in this final bout and he was a hard target for the Kazakh newcomer therefore Suresh won his third Asian title after 2019 and 2022.

Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov claimed his first Asian U22 title in 2022 and since then the currently 20-year-old athlete competes at the flyweight (51kg), in a new category. The tall Uzbek met a Kazakh boxer in the final, Kenzhe Muratuly who is also from the 2003 born age group and he received the right to compete in Astana only in the final moment. The first tactical round delivered low number of clear shots due to their excellent defensive skills and surprisingly Muratuly found the best distance earlier than the Uzbek. Muratuly was patient and he performed over his previous level of boxing today therefore he bagged his first Asian title.

Kazakhstan’s defending U22 Asian Champion at the bantamweight (54kg), Nursultan Altynbek faced Mongolia’s Enkhsaikhan Oyun-Erdene today and he had effective uppercuts in the first round. The promising Mongolian worked from longer range un this final bout and he boxed well but Altynbek was better in all aspects of boxing today. The Kazakh landed various punches, combinations from all distances and he finished the second round with a heavy right-handed jab. Altynbek kept the focus until the last gong and he defended his Asian U22 title with strong performance.

Kazakhstan’s Yerbolat Sabyr, the Youth World silver medallist from 2021, landed effective left-handed hooks in the first round of his featherweight (57kg) final against India’s Nikhil. The Pavlodar-based Kazakh followed his coach, Mr. Azamat Makazhanov’s instructions and their tactics paid off in the first and second rounds. The 21-year-old Sabyr won the battle of the southpaw boxers but he injured and the referee surprisingly confirmed Nikhil’s RSCI triumph in this final.

Kazakhstan’s Ruslan Kuzeubayev impressed as a junior boxer in 2019 and he moved forward in the national ranking step by step. The Kazakh lightweight (60kg) boxer dictated the tempo against India’s Akash Ramesh Gorkha and he had strong hooks in the first round. Kuzeubayev jumped into the best fighting distance to reach the taller Indian who spends his last year in the U22 age group. Gorkha landed not enough punches but he used his longer reach better today and he claimed his first Asian title in a hectic bout.

Uzbekistan’s Abdullokh Madaminov is a younger boxer, he is new in their U22 national team but he tried to control the first round against the three-years-older Yerassyl Tankay of Kazakhstan. The Uzbek light welterweight (63.5kg) boxer had the advantage after three minutes of fight and Madaminov opened the second round with strong jabs. The young Uzbek was better in in-fighting style and he shocked the more experienced Kazakh in all of the three rounds therefore Madaminov deserved to win this title bout.

Kazakhstan’s Youth World silver medallist Yelnur Suyunbay began the first round with good jabs against India’s Malik Preet and he was a hard target in defence. Kazakhstan has bright traditions at the welterweight (67kg) and the 20-year-old Asian Youth Champion Suyunbay is their new flag bearer in the U22 national team. Suyunbay shared his power well among the three rounds and his excellent technical skills guaranteed his success on home soil.

Kazakhstan’s Sabyrzhan Akkalykov claimed a gold medal at the 2021 Youth World Boxing Championships in Kielce and he secured his spot in the light middleweight (71kg) final with excellent performance. The 21-year-old Akkalykov could be a strong alternative solution for their Elite World Champion Aslanbek Shymbergenov in the future and he smashed Tajikistan’s Dovud Makhkamov in the first round of their final. The Tajik was competitor in the last edition of the Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships but his skills were outclassed by one of the top Kazakhs today.

Uzbekistan’s Youth World Champion Javokhir Ummataliyev and the three-years-older Dias Molzhigitov of Kazakhstan met in one of the most anticipated finals of the championship. The 19-year-old Uzbek southpaw moved ahead bravely but he was also smart when he landed his punches with perfect timing. The 2021 Youth World bronze medallist Kazakh opened the decisive third round with two heavy left-handed punches and he tried to find the holes between the gloves of the Uzbek boxer. Molzhigitov’s great finish guaranteed his gold medal winning one of the most exciting title contests of the tenth competition day.

Kazakhstan’s former Asian Junior Champion Yerassyl Zhakpekov surprisingly eliminated Uzbekistan’s Youth World Champion unbeaten Fazliddin Erkinboyev in the semi-finals of the light heavyweight (80kg). The 22-year-old Kazakh did not underestimate his final opponent, Afghanistan’s Qais Alizada and he tried to avoid any serious mistakes following his cuts in the semi-finals. Alizada is the first Afghan finalist in an Asian Championships since 1995 but Zhakpekov defeated him with his better technical skills.

Kazakhstan’s two-time Asian Youth Champion Temirlan Mukatayev is the Elite National Champion at the cruiserweight (86kg) and he had the strong expectations on home soil again. The referee counted his opponent, Uzbekistan’s Samandar Djalolov following the heavy shots of the 20-year-old Kazakh boxer. Mukatayev is a native power in our sport and one of his left-handed hooks was not only dangerous for the Uzbek but Djalolov went down to the floor which delivered a stoppage in the second round.

Uzbekistan’s Youth World Champion and four-times Asian Champion Jakhongir Zokirov was the top favourite against Kazakhstan’s Amanat Sabyrgali at the men’s U22 super heavyweight (+92kg) final. The 20-year-old Uzbek star had powerful shots in the first round and he caught the brave Sabyrgali with several times. The Kazakh coaches abandoned this final bout after three minutes and the referee confirmed Zokirov’s success which was his fifth Asian title and the third among the U22 boxers.

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