More boxers were in action for the 1/8 final in the evening session of the third competition day at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. Boxers in the flyweight (52kg), featherweight (57kg), light welterweight (63kg) and middleweight (75kg) competed in 22 contests during the evening. Paraguay’s Minerva Magali Montiel Meireles made history for her country, she won the first bout in the event’s history.

Carly McNaul won the opening bout of the evening session

Ireland’s Carly McNaul entered into the world of boxing when she claimed a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Irish flyweight (52kg) boxer met with Burundi’s Ornella Havyarimana who has been attending the major championships since 2014. The African was competitive in the first round, she kept the distance. Later on,  McNaul increased the tempo and landed strong punches in the second round. The Irish team arrived at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships without their No.1, Kellie Harrington who suffered a hand injury before the start, but McNaul and her teammates made their nations proud with their performance. The Thai referee counted Havyarimana twice in the contest, and McNaul’s celebrated overwhelming triumph at the start of the evening session.

“It was an excellent warm-up for me before the most difficult part of the Championships. I will try to rest a bit and keep the focus on my next contest which will be harder. I will attend the Commonwealth Games in two and a half months but I still have big plans for Istanbul,” said McNaul.

Nikhat Zareen made her first step on the way to the podium

Nikhat Zareen from India replaced their national icon, six-time Women’s World Champion Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte in their team and she immideately won the the Strandja Memorial this February. The Indian light flyweight (52kg) boxer has eleven years of experience, she was highly motivated in the first round against Mexico’s young Fatima Patricia Herrera. Zareen is one of the gold medal contenders of this weight category, however, she had to work a lot during the opening three minutes as Herrera had a brave attempt to beat her. The 26-year-old Indian was even better in the second round and she found her best rhythm to beat the talented Mexican today.

“I believe the second round was my best in his contest today when my gameplan worked well. I was so excited before the start and I am just looking forward to my next bout at these wonderful Championships. I can use different strategies, everything depends on my opponents but I am ready to beat anyone,” added Zareen.

Testa won her second contest in Istanbul

Italy’s Irma Testa had a tough contest on the first day of boxing but she managed to win against Mali’s Marine Fatoumata Camara. In the next bout, Italian featherweight (57kg) star faced Japan’s Mona Kimura who is not experienced enough on the international stage yet and competed mostly in national events. Testa’s opponent was smaller and the Italian changed her style a bit this time to catch the younger Japanese boxer. Testa caught the Asian boxer with several clean punches and the referee stopped their unequal contest in the second round after the standing counts.

“My performance was a much better in comparison to the first bout, and I am sure I can do even better the next one. I did not expect that I could win this contest by RSC as I used short range tactics this time,” commented Testa.

Kamenova returned to the major Championships after six years with a success 

Bulgaria’s Svetlana Kamenova achieved a bronze medal at the 2012 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, and in 2016 she finished her career. She worked as coach with the women’s national team and after successful coaches career she decided to return in the ring. Kamenova won this year Strandja Memorial Tournament and two further events arriving in Istanbul as gold medal contender in the featherweight (57kg). She met in the first bout with a powerful opponent, Puerto Rico’s Ashley Ann Lozada, the defending AMBC American Champion. The Bulgarian boxer was patient and used her opponent’s faults precisely, nevertheless she had to keep full concentration against the Puerto Rican. Kamenova calmed down, enjoyed the third round and did her best which was enough to eliminate the champion of the AMBC American Championships.

Paraguay won a historical contest

Paraguay’s Minerva Magali Montiel Meireles delivered her first historical success at the AMBC American Women’s Boxing Championships in Guayaquil five weeks ago where she claimed a bronze medal. The Paraguayan featherweight (57kg) boxer met with South Africa’s Zonal Champion Phiwokuhle Mnguni and quickly gained control of the contest. She used her footwork better in the second round, that gave her a clear dominance over the 24-year-old Paraguayan. Maestrita, which is her nickname, felt the distance well in the second and third rounds against the inexperienced South African. Montiel had better technical skills and she accomplished her goal, becoming the country’s first ever competitor who won a bout at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.

“I am over the moon after this success. I was preparing for this feeling but to be the first-ever woman boxer from Paraguay who won a bout at the World Championships is just amazing,” said Minerva Montiel.

Turkey vs. Mongolia – 1-1 in the evening session

The host nation’s Gizem Ozer is one of the members of their new generation. She worked hard after her success at the National Championships to be in top shape in Istanbul. The light welterweight (63kg) boxer knew the weak points of her opponent, Mongolia’s Shinetsetseg Uranbileg and succeeded in front of the local fans. The second Turkish boxer in the evening session was Esra Ozyol who had to meet with another Mongolian, Namuun Monkhor, a bronze medalist of the 2017 AIBA Women’s Youth World Boxing Championships. Monkhor moved down to the featherweight (57kg) in recent months. She eliminated the local girl with outstanding stamina in the third round.

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