The most anticipated final fights took place at the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships at the Humo arena in Tashkent. The first six finalists came into the ring to determine the strongest.

In the first fight of the evening, Sakhil Allakhverdovi from Georgia met Sanzhar Tashkenbay from Kazakhstan in the 48kg division. Tashkenbay was confident and took the lead after two rounds of action. The fight between orthodox and southpaw was held at a long distance with the Kazakh boxer benefitting from it, as he had longer reach and better footwork. Tashkenbay was more precise in his punches and the referee raised his hand declaring him the first winner of this World Championships by a unanimous decision.    

Dulat Bekbauov from Kazakhstan challenged Uzbekistan’s boxer Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev in the 67kg category. In a high-speed intense bout, the Uzbekistani boxer started well on the scorecards, while both were throwing strong punches. The stakes were high in this close fight on the longer distance, and in the last round, the local boxer understood his advantage and was teasing his opponent. Muydinkhujaev celebrated the victory emotionally, and so did the local public. 

Defending World Champion Sofiane Oumiha faced Cuban Erislandy Alvarez in a spectacular fight in 60kg. The fight was tough for Oumiha, as Alvarez put pressure on him with serial combinations and good body shots. In the second round, a 22-year-old Cuban boxer threw a nice right punch that gave a lot of difficulties to his rival, but during the round, Oumiha responded well. Despite the pressure put on him, the French boxer found the right timing to perform his counter-attacks. The third round was decisive in this contest, and Oumiha could manage to win by a split decision.   

Wanderley Pereira from Brazil challenged reigning World champion Yoenli Hernandez from Cuba in the 75kg division. Two athletic boxers had a similar style with a lot of defensive movements. Cuban started the second round passionately and won the first two rounds. Younger Brazilian couldn’t give enough pressure, and Hernandez successfully defended his title. 

Hasanboy Dusmatov from Uzbekistan delivered the most beautiful fight of the evening, knocking out his opponent Billal Bennama from France in the starting round. Bennama could raise, but his legs were absolutely gone, so the referee had no choice but to finish the bout.  

In the 92+kg  fight between Bakhodir Jalolov from Uzbekistan and Cuban Alejandro Arzola, the local boxer started with a series of powerful punches, and at the end of the round, he delivered a spectacular knockdown. The Uzbek boxer brought his rival into the corner and with his strongest left punch sent the Cuban to the canvas seconds before the end of the round. During the break, the corner of the Cuban refused to continue, and Jalolov was declared the super heavyweight champion.

The second part of the finals with 7 bouts is to take place on 14 May at Humo arena. 

Full results of 13 May can be found here.

Share on Facebook

Tweet