Algerian stars advance to the semi-finals in Casablanca
The quarter-finals continued in the AFBC African Confederation Boxing Championships, where sixteen bouts at the Flyweight (52 kg), Lightweight (60 kg), Light Welterweight (64 kg) and Heavyweight (91 kg) weight classes were held on the fourth competition day in Casablanca, Morocco.
Bout of the day
Algeria’s Reda Benbaziz narrowly edged an incredible Lightweight bout with Seychelles’ London 2012 Olympian and African Cup of Nations winner Andrique Allisop.
Benbaziz, the 22-year-old Mediterranean Games winner, competed excellently in Season V of the World Series of Boxing, but struggled in the early stages against Allisop who used his fast style to strong effect.
Tactical awareness is a huge asset of Benbaziz however, and he quickly reacted to the situation by using his own strengths to unsettle his exciting opponent.
After all three exhilarating rounds had been completed, Benbaziz was named the winner by unanimous decision to set up a semi-final with Uganda’s Hassan Abdu Asuni.
Team of the day
Ghana enjoyed two excellent victories on Day 4, beginning with a dominant Flyweight triumph for teenager Akios Annang Ampiah against Botswana’s Thabiso Mpolokeng.
Following Ampiah’s wonderful performance, Heavyweight David Bawah Akankolim joined him in the semi-finals after knocking down and stopping Egypt’s Doha International Tournament bronze medallist Samy Abdalla Aly Ibrahim.
Surprise of the day
Morocco’s Abdellah Boudrar was the favourite in his Lightweight bout against Egypt’s Bocskai Memorial Tournament winner Mahmoud Abdelaal but fell away after an impressive start to lose against his Egyptian rival.
Abdelaal’s body punches were particularly potent, and his remarkable success qualifies him through to the semi-finals.
The Round-Up
Algeria’s AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist APB boxer Mohamed Flissi looked back to his best form after stopping Angolan Flyweight Vivaldo Rodrigues.
Flissi’s compatriot and two-time Olympian Abdelkader Chadi then reached the final four of the Light Welterweight division by eliminating Egypt’s promising Mohamed Eslam Aly.
Tunisia’s All Africa Games winner Ahmed Mejri of Tunisia also looked strong against Togo’s veteran Fatiou Bless Sarouna, while Ugandan Heavyweight Willy Kyakonye used his experience to defeat Gabon’s Davy Lendjoughou.
Fact of the day
After the completion of the quarter-finals, the following ten nations have achieved guaranteed medals:
- Morocco: 8 medals
- Algeria: 7 medals
- Tunisia, Uganda: 5 medals
- Botswana, Egypt, Ghana: 4 medals
- Mauritius, Seychelles, Togo: 1 medal
Quote of the day
“I moved down one weight class this year to have the chance to fight for my country in big events. I am fine after my bout, which was a really close one in Casablanca. I wanted to stop my rival and sometimes that tactic using tough jabs worked, but it was not my best. I am not so satisfied with my performance, but I know I can do better, so therefore I am looking forward so much my semi-final,” said Botswana’s Tefo Rammupudu.
Tomorrow’s program
The semi-finals will be held tomorrow across twenty bouts involving all weight classes.
