
LIGHT WELTER 64 KG - THURSDAY, 30 JULY (20:00 GMT+2)
Location: Hamburg – Venue: Inselparkhalle Wilhelmsburg
Harutyunyan vs Chadi will determine the Light Welterweight hero of Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany will be the venue for a pivotal AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Cycle I Round 2 Light Welterweight (64 kg) match on Thursday night, where fans around the world will be able to watch live and free from 20:00 (GMT +2) at https://www.youtube.com/user/AIBAproboxingTV.
A bronze medalist from the 2013 European Championships, Harutyunyan was in excellent form in his Round 1 match with Evaldas Petrauskas (LIT) and dropped just one round on a single scorecard against his tough opponent.
Chadi has performed well in many formats of boxing, and used his speed and guile to tremendous effect as he outperformed Carlos Aquino (ARG) last time out.
With so much at stake for the fighters, they will both have studied their earlier APB meeting in December which was won by Harutyunyan in close fashion.
Over six rounds, the two competitors consistently moved forward and earned success with fluid attacks, but it was the German who emerged victorious on one scorecard, with the remaining two judges declaring the contest as a draw.
Their rematch will take place over eight rounds in Hamburg, a distance both men covered with consummate ease during their Round 1 matches.
Busy, active and always performing with a smile on his face, Harutyunyan has emerged as one of APB’s most popular and entertaining fighters over the course of his career, and is desperate to earn an opportunity to face Armen Zakaryan for the third time in this competition.
Chadi is an impressive athlete too, who uses exceptional head movement and footwork through his bouts which allows him to maintain and utilise a steady stream of jabs and power punches.
There is every chance this match could end up as one of the most entertaining in APB history, as both men have supreme stamina, creative attacking instincts, and a will to win that is absolutely essential in such a gruelling stage of sport.
Harutyunyan has the slight power advantage and will enjoy home advantage in front of his big fanbase in Germany, while the overall boxing experience belongs to the determined Algerian star, who will be able to block out the noise and focus on his tactics.
A second Light Welterweight match will feature on the undercard when Evaldas Petrauskas (LIT) and Carlos Aquino (ARG) both bid to move up the all-important APB rankings.
Match schedule:
- Evaldas PETRAUSKAS (LIT) vs Carlos AQUINO (ARG)
- Artem HARUTYUNYAN (GER) vs Abdelkader CHADI (ALG)
Location: Hamburg – Venue: Inselparkhalle Wilhelmsburg
Michel and Benchabla seek great German success in their Light Heavyweight bout
An excellent AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Cycle I Round 2 main event will emanate from Hamburg, Germany on Thursday night where Serge Michel (GER) fights Abdelhafid Benchabla (ALG) in a crunch Light Heavyweight (81 kg) clash.
Known as the Bavarian Sniper, Michel has won three of his four matches in APB, including a brace of recent spectacular victories over the talented Oybek Mamazulunov (UZB).
The 26-year-old has looked sensational in this competition, and uses his strong frame to unsettle opponents and create openings.
Economical movement and punch output allows the German star to ensure that no action is wasted in the ring, and he will enjoy the home support in his native Germany.
He also holds a significant past victory over his Thursday night opponent, after he defeated Benchabla in a brilliant five round World Series of Boxing (WSB) contest three years ago.
Their rematch will take place over eight rounds, a distance Michel has never completed in his career, but one Benchabla performed well at in his APB debut last month.
Although the 28-year-old Algerian lost to European Champion Nikita Ivanov (RUS) by split decision, he impressed many onlookers with his terrific work ethic, and will feel confident that he can outperform Michel in the closing rounds of their match.
Benchabla enjoyed a very successful career in WSB where he became one of the best Light Heavyweights in the early seasons of that competition, while he has also competed twice at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012.
The six foot fighter was formerly the number one ranked Light Heavyweight in AIBA Open Boxing (AOB), and reached that milestone by attacking with fluid combinations.
He also carries power in both hands, which he will attempt to detonate frequently on his charismatic opponent.
A second Light Heavyweight match will feature on the undercard, as Dzemal Bosnjak (BIH) and Alexandru Machedon (ROM) compete in a six round exhibition.
Match schedule:
- Dzemal BOSNJAK (BIH) vs Alexandru MACHEDON (ROM)
- Serge MICHEL (GER) vs Abdelhafid BENCHABLA (ALG)