The 2nd World Qualification Tournament continued today in Bangkok, Thailand, at the Indoor Stadium Huamark venue with a total of 64 bouts: 32 in the Men’s 63.5 kg and 32 in the Men’s 71 kg weight categories. In both classes, 5 quota slots are at stake.
Men’s 63.5 kg
Clesisson DOS SANTOS (BRA) and Bernardo Delfina MARIME (MOZ) opened day 3 of boxing in Bangkok. The Brazilian rising prodigy secured a convincing victory with a unanimous decision of 5:0, demonstrating his determination to move forward in the tournament.
On the other ring, the Tokyo 2020 Olympian and 2022 Mediterranean Games bronze medallist Abdelhaq Nadir (MOR) got rid of today’s rival Mikael Hampus Oliver BROMAN (SWE) with a sharp 5:0 win, earning five 10/9 from the judges.
In a fierce ring battle, Cuba’s Erislandy ALVAREZ (CUB), also called “La Amenaza,” overcame Noah Talalotu TIMOTEO (ASA) by unanimous decision. ALVAREZ controlled the rhythm of the match and kept his opponent at a distance. Moving around the ring with a dodge-and-hit style typical of Cuban school, the 23-year-old dominated the bout and secured his win in the event.
Yaroslav KHARTSYZ (UKR), who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, produced a brilliant tactical display to beat Samuel CONTRERAS (ESA), getting a maximum points 5:0 win. With the same scoreline, the Italian Gianluigi MALANGA (ITA) caused an upset to Viliam TANKO (SVK), controlling the distance and landing powerful shots to the head and body. In the upcoming match, scheduled for May 28, he will meet Jose Maria NUNEZ of Bolivia, who was another winner today with a unanimous decision victory over IJAM Prakash LIMBU of Nepal.
Bazarbay Uulu MUKHAMMEDSABYR (KAZ) moved forward in the tournament as he defeated Criztian Pitt LAURENTE (PHI). Both boxers started strong, displaying good boxing skills and powerful punches, with the Kazakh edging the first round 3:2. The Filipino boxer, nicknamed “Golden Boy,” wasn’t able to counterattack effectively in the second and third rounds as MUKHAMMEDSABYR dominated the match until the end, sealing a 5:0 unanimous decision victory. The Turkish Mizan AYKOL is waiting for him for the next bout as he ran out a comfortable 5:0 win over Narek HOVHANNISYAN (ARM).
Mohd Johari MUHAMMAD RIDZUAN (MAS), Alexandru PARASCHIV (MDA), Louis Richarno COLIN (MRI), Saparmyrat ODAYEV (TKM), Tsendbaatar ERDENEBAT (MGL), and David GKEVORGKIAN (GER) all advanced to the round-of-32 in the tournament.
India’s Abhinash JAMWAL also made it to the second round of the Men’s 63.5 kg weight division as he cleared today’s bout against Andriejus LAVRENOVAS (LTU). All five judges ruled him a 10/9 in each of the three rounds, resulting in a 5:0 maximum point victory.
Later in the afternoon, Emilio GARCIA (USA) and Ismail UMAR (FIN) also jumped into the ring. The 20-year-old from Loredo, Texas, who has been boxing since his father introduced him to the sport in a backyard gym at the family’s home, and now in the hope of securing a place at Paris 2024, clinched a 4:1 split decision win after a close battle.
The 2023 Pan American Games bronze medallist, Alexy Miguel DE LA CRUZ BAEZ (DOM), also left a significant mark on today’s competition. Demonstrating exceptional skill and strategy, he outclassed Puerto Rico’s Jose Adriel DIAZ RODRIGUEZ, delivering a series of precise and powerful strikes towards the end of the bout. This brilliant performance earned him a decisive 5:0 unanimous decision win.
Men’s 71 kg
The Tokyo 2020 Olympian Zeyad EASHASH (JOR) had to face Alban BEQIRI (ALB) in the first round of the qualifier. Despite suffering a cut on the forehead in the first round, he kept battling and attacking like a true warrior in all three rounds, securing a convincing 5:0 decision win.
The 20-year-old rising talent Nidal FOQAHAA (PLE) can still target an Olympic quota place as he outscored the Albanian BEQIRI by 5:0, impressing with solid punching and offensive tactics. This victory leads him to the next round.
Salvatore CAVALLARO (ITA) had a day to forget as Youcef Islam YAICHE (ALG) dashed his hopes to qualify for Paris 2024. The Italian was dominant in the beginning, taking the first round 4-1, but YAICHE counterattacked in rounds two and three, bringing home victory by 3:0.
Team Thailand collected another win today on home soil as Peerapat YEASUNGNOEN got the better of Toheriri-Hallet TAWHIRIMATEA (COK) via a 4:0 points win. Exceptional combinations were executed by both athletes, but the Thai’s impactful blows secured him access to the second round of the tournament. The 23-year-old will now have to face off against Nuradin RUSTAMBEK UULU (KGZ), who with the same scoreline upset Finland’s Akseli SAURAMA.
Ukraine’s Yurii ZAKHARIEIEV was too strong for his opponent Merven CLAIR of Mauritius. With only a few seconds left in the second round, the referee had to stop the match, advancing the 21-year-old ZAKHARIEIEV to the upcoming match. Advancing in the brackets, he will meet Aleksandr TROFIMCUK (LTU), who ran out a comfortable 5:0 win against Ali Maisam ALIZADA (AFG).
Wanderson DE OLIVEIRA representing Brazil eased past Nguyen DUC LONG of Vietnam. The Tokyo 2020 Olympian from Rio De Janeiro showed off some precise and powerful punches that caused three standing counts to his rival. In round two, the referee was forced to stop the match, advancing the Brazilian to the round of 32.
Later in the evening, there was a close battle between Malaysia’s Bin Che Azmi MOHD ASWAN and Pakistan’s Rizwan JAHANZEB. The Malaysian boxer started offensively and landed some powerful blows, securing five 10/9 from the judges. JAHANZEB counterattacked, taking the second for 5:0. With both boxers giving it all in the third round, it was MOHD ASWAN who sealed a 3:2 split decision victory.
The action at the Indoor Stadium Huamark continues tomorrow, May 27, featuring 53 thrilling bouts in the Women’s 60 kg, Women’s 75 kg, Men’s 80 kg, and Men’s 92 kg weight divisions.
Stay tuned for the latest updates, photos, and results, which will be posted online on the Athlete 365 Boxing Corner website at the tournament page.
Find additional information about the event on the Thai Boxing Association website.
