Day 5 of the 2nd World Qualification Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, showcased 64 intense bouts across four weight divisions: Women’s 54 kg, Men’s 57 kg, Men’s 63.5 kg, and Men’s 71 kg.
Day 5 started big with Clesisson DOS SANTOS (BRA) and Erislandy ALVAREZ (CUB) jumping first in the ring in the Men’s 63.5 kg weight division. The two boxers put on a formidable show, displaying brilliant boxing skills and impressive punches. ALVAREZ showcased his superiority in the first round, claiming five 10/9 scores from all the judges. The Brazilian tried to counterattack in the second round, clinching two 10/9 scores, but the effort wasn’t enough to defeat the Cuban, who brought home the victory in the third round, earning a 5:0 unanimous decision victory. Next up for ALVAREZ is the Tokyo 2020 Olympian Yaroslav KHARTSYZ of Ukraine, who defeated Obaidullah YACKOBI (AFG) by 5:0 in a close match.
Later in the morning, the Italian Gianluigi MALANGA dominated his bout against Jose Maria NUNEZ of Bolivia, winning 5:0, with the judges awarding maximum points in each of the three rounds. The Italian controlled the rhythm of the match and kept his opponent at a distance, landing the clearer shots.
United States of America’s Emilio GARCIA left no chances to Robert Eusebiu JITARU (ROU), controlling the match from the start with an offensive strategy and powerful punches targeting his opponent’s face, which led him to seal a 4:1 points victory. The 20-year-old from Texas will now face Joseph COMMEY (GHA), who emerged victorious after a close battle against Hassan KABENGELA NTUMBA (COD), with the judges eventually awarding him a 3:2 split decision win.
Abhinash JAMWAL (IND) had a tough outing against Jose Manuel VIAFARA FORY (COL). The Colombian boxer made his intentions clear in the very first round as he went on the offensive and took control of the bout. The judges awarded VIAFARA FORY the first round with five 10/9 and the second with four 10/9. The Indian fought back in the third round, but it wasn’t enough to bring home victory. Advancing in the brackets, a tough opponent awaits the Colombian as the 2023 Pan American Games bronze medallist Alexy Miguel DE LA CRUZ BAEZ (CUB) sealed another victory today over Askat KULTAEV (KGZ).
In the Men’s 71 kg class, the Jordanian Zeyad EASHASH collected another 5:0 win today as he eased past Stanley WENDELL (NZL), showcasing his dominance and determination to advance in the qualifier. He set up a meeting with Eskerkhan MADIEV (GEO), who overcame Shamser SAIDOV (TJK) by 3:0.
Later in the afternoon, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Aidan WALSH (IRL) didn’t have too much trouble overcoming Youcef Islam YAICHE (ALG). The Irish edged the first round 3:2 and went more offensive in the second round, convincing all five judges to score a 10/9. The Algerian boxer tried his best in the final round, but WALSH emerged victorious, sealing a 4:1 win. In the upcoming round-of-16, WALSH will meet the Ukrainian rising talent Yurii ZAKHARIEIEV, who defeated Aleksandr TROFIMCUK (LTU) with a resounding 5:0 unanimous decision victory.
Peerapat YEASUNGNOEN (THA) didn’t waste his opportunity to collect another win on home soil as he stunned Nuradin RUSTAMBEK UULU (KGZ) with a 5:0 maximum points win. Moving around the ring with a dodge-and-hit style, the Thai boxer showcased his superiority in all three rounds, earning a full scorecard.
Damian DURKACZ (POL), Wanderson DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), Mohamed RACHEM (BEL), Nishant Dev NISHANT DEV (IND), Lewis RICHARDSON (GBR), and Angel Gabriel LLANOS PEREZ (PUR) all advanced in the tournament with sharp 5:0 victories.
Determined, effective, and powerful Romane MOULAI (FRA) delivered a near-perfect performance to defeat Chile’s Denisse BRAVO in their round-of-32 Women’s 54kg event, earning a full scorecard (all judges awarded him all rounds).
Moments later, Anastasiia KOVALCHUK (UKR) and Islem FERCHICHI (TUN) engaged in a close battle. Both athletes started strong, with the Ukrainian clinching the first round 3:2. The Tunisian successfully counterattacked in the following round, earning four 10/9 scores from the judges. With both boxers giving it their all in the third, KOVALCHUK landed the best shots to edge a 3:2 split decision win.
Hanna LAKOTAR (HUN) cleared his round-of-32 bout against Fotima BEGMURADOVA (TJK) in less than two rounds, overwhelming her before abandoning the contest in R2.
In the Men’s 57 kg weight class, Rujakran JANTRONG (THA) and Shamil ASKEROV (AZE) were the main characters of a tense bout. The boxer from Azerbaijan clinched the first round 3:2, then the Thai boxer adjusted his strategy in the second round, being more offensive and landing powerful punches targeting his opponent’s face, conquering the favor of three judges out of five. In the third and decisive round, some sensational combinations secured ASKEROV the victory 3:0.
Samuel KISTOHURRY of France also made his mark, securing a commanding 5:0 decision win in the tournament, upsetting O Tae Bom (PRK). Advancing to the round-of-16, he will meet Hyungseung KIM (KOR), who, with the same scoreline, defeated Oussama MORDJANE of Algeria.
Team Ukraine raised their hands in celebration as Aider ABDURAIMOV was declared the winner by 5:0 in his bout against Mwengo MWALE of Zambia. On May 30, the 20-year-old ABDURAIMOV will face off against Asror VOKHIDOV (TJK), who claimed a 5:0 win against Kosovo’s Bashkim BAJOKU.
Action is due to continue tomorrow, May 29, featuring 56 bouts across Women’s 60 kg, Women’s 66 kg, Men’s 63.5 kg, Men’s 71 kg, and Men’s +92 kg weight categories.
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.
