Official Draw For 2015 AIBA World Championships Holds in Doha

The official draw for the 2015 AIBA World Championships brings some tough bouts and thrilling match-ups for the opening rounds in Doha

The official draw for the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships took place at the Ezdan Hotel in Doha this afternoon, following the official weigh-in earlier in the day. AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu welcomed the 243 boxers taking part in the 10-day competition, which begins with the preliminary rounds running from Tuesday to Friday.

Opening proceedings with the 49kg class, the first round highlight for Tuesday afternoon sees India’s Commonwealth Games silver medalist Laishram Devendro Singh take on Britain’s young hope Harvey Horn. As with all the weight classes, the four top seeds join the action in the last 16, with Uzbekistan’s ASBC Asian Champion and second seed Hasanboy Dusmatov looking to have the best run to the final.

Official Draw For 2015 AIBA World Championships Holds in Doha

In the 56kg class, Ireland’s WSB number one boxer and EUBC European Championship winner Michael Conlan has a golden opportunity to bring home his country’s first ever AIBA World Championship gold medal. The pick of the first preliminary round sees Thailand’s defending ASBC Asian champion Chatchai Butdee face the Ukrainian AIBA World Championship bronze medalist Mykola Butsenko.

In a 60kg class loaded with big bouts, Cuba’s two-time AIBA World Champion Lazaro Alvarez has a good chance of reaching the semi finals, while the first round highlight sees Russia’s WSB star Adlan Abdurashidov face Kazakhstan’s ASBC Asian Championship silver medalist and WSB Team Champion, Zakir Safiullin.

The ever-strong Cuban team brings no fewer than five top seeds to Doha; Yosbany Veitia, Lazaro Alvarez (60kg), Yasnier Toledo (64kg), Arlen Lopez (75kg) and Erislandy Savon (91kg). Two years ago in Almaty, however, it was Kazakhstan who topped the team rankings, and in Doha they have four top-ranking boxers competing. AIBA Boxer of the Year for the last two years Daniyar Yeleussinov is a strong contender for gold in the 69kg category, and he is joined by fellow top seeds Kayrat Yeralyev (56kg), Adilbek Niyazymbetov (81kg) and Ivan Dychko (+91kg).

Uzbekistan’s talented young Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games winner Bektemir Melikuziev is undefeated since joining the elite 75kg class in January. The 19-year-old middleweight star’s Doha campaign begins with an intriguing match against Georgian veteran Zaal Kvachatadze.

In the welterweight category, Lithuania’s EUBC European Champion Eimantas Stanionis faces Ireland’s London 2012 Olympian Adam Nolan in the preliminary round. “Nothing has changed after the draw, and as a new European Champion I have got great expectations in Doha. You can’t change the draw so I will do my best to win in the ring against everybody. I know my Irish opponent well enough, but I am also well prepared,” said Lithuania’s Stanionis following the official draw.

Hurshid Tojibaev Beats Berik Abdrakhmanov On Points To Become The APB Lightweight Champion

A sold out crowd in Tashkent, Uzbekistan experienced an APB title change on Saturday night, when Hurshid Tojibaev (UZE) become the new APB Lightweight (60 kg) Champion after defeating Berik Abdrakhmanov (KAZ).
This was the third title change of the AIBA World Championship Matches series, and perhaps the most one-sided as the challenger dominated the defending Champion throughout.

Hurshid Tojibaev beats Berik Abdrakhmanov on points to become the APB Lightweight Champion

The Uzbek crowd favourite had previously lost to Abdrakhmanov last January, but started their rematch in phenomenal fashion as he won the first four rounds in decisive fashion.

Tojibaev quickly took control of the center of the ring, and frequently troubled his decorated rival with sharp left hooks and outstanding reflexes.

Abdrakhmanov was previously undefeated in APB but could not respond to the constant barrage from Tojibaev, and it took until the fifth round before he was able to enjoy any success in the bout.

His momentum could not last however, and cheered on by a boisterous venue, Tojibaev retook control of the contest in the sixth round.

Tremendous head movement and a well planned defence enabled the Uzbek star to dictate the pace of the bout, while the variety of his shots was also exceptional.

Although Abdrakhmanov won the 10th round across the board, in his quest for a knockout finish he was constantly beaten to the punch in the latter stages by his dynamic opponent.

After all 12 rounds has been completed, it was the hand of Tojibaev which was raised in victory after a wide unanimous decision verdict, and he was later awarded the APB belt to the delight of his many fans in Tashkent.

Erik Pfeifer Makes APB History With Inaugural Title Victory In Baku

Germany’s Erik Pfeifer, a two-time AIBA World Championship bronze medallist, was last night crowned the first Super Heavyweight (91+ kg) Champion in the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Inaugural Title Match in Baku, Azerbaijan.
After eight rounds, the final scorecards read 78:74 across the board in favour of Pfeifer against his opponent, Morocco’s Mohammed Arjaoui. The German becomes the first APB Inaugural Titleholder, as well as the first German Super heavyweight World Champion since Max Schmeling.

Both Pfeifer and Arjaoui had won all three of their preliminary bouts coming into the Inaugural Title Match at Baku’s Sarhadchi Complex.

Pfeifer started the contest well, his punches landing more sharply and accurately than his African opponent. Later, Pfeifer’s extra energy and experience saw him outclass his opponent in the final two rounds, as he pulled away on points.

APB Champion Erik Pfeifer

In order to officially qualify to compete at Rio 2016, Pfeifer must defend his title in the APB Cycle 1 Title Bout. Doing so, he will automatically be awarded an Olympic quota place as both contenders, Champion and Challenger, earn Olympic quota places. Cycle 1 is scheduled to start in March 2015.

Two more APB Inaugural Title Matches take place this week-end:

• WELTER 69kg (Baku, Azerbaijan – 24/01): Onur SIPAL (Turkey) vs Rayton OKWIRI (Kenya)

• MIDDLE 75kg (Istanbul, Turkey – 23/01): Adem KILICCI (Turkey) vs Artem CHEBOTAREV (Russia)