
WELTER 69 KG - FRIDAY, 24 JULY (20:00 GMT+7)
Location: Kemerovo – Venue: Arena Sports & Entertainment Complex
Astonishing Andrei Zamkovoi earns qualification quota to Rio 2016 after defeating Gyula Kate
An outstanding night of AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Welterweight (69 kg) matches thrilled the watching crowd in Kemerovo, Russia as Andrei Zamkovoi (RUS) defeated Gyula Kate (HUN) in their crunch Cycle I Round 2 battle.
The points victory for Zamkovoi awarded him a future APB title match against Welterweight Champion Onur Sipal (TUR), and he also earned a qualification quota for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Movement was a constant tool for the ruthless Russian, as his creative footwork enabled him to circle in and out of range seemingly at will in the early stages of the bout.
Kate attempted to impose himself more at the beginning of the third frame, but could not find a consistent way through the composed defence of Zamkovoi.
When the bout entered its middle stages, the tactical supremacy of the Russian fighter continued to grow, as he successfully avoided the straight line attacks from Kate to use his strength and quick hands to cause increasingly severe damage.
The sixth and seventh rounds followed a similar format, with plenty of effort from Kate curtailed by the overall quality of Zamkovoi.
By the final seconds of the eighth and final round, the noise in Kemerovo increased even further as it became apparent that their star fighter was on course for a well-deserved fifth APB victory in six matches.
All three of the judges at ringside awarded Zamkovoi the triumph by scores of 80:72, 80:72 and 78:74
Another exciting bout occurred on the undercard when 2013 AIBA World Championships silver medalist Arisnoidys Despaigne (CUB) produced a boxer masterclass to win on points against tough German Araik Marutjan (GER).
Elsewhere, Ray 'Boom Boom' Okwiri (KEN) edged a tight split decision verdict over Eimantas Stanionis (LIT), while Amin Ghasemi Pour (IRI) outpointed Dimitros Tsagrakos (GRE).
Match schedule:
- Amin GHASEMI POUR (IRI) W.P. (79:73/81:71/79:73) vs Dimitrios TSAGKRAKOS (GRE)
- Araik MARUTJAN (GER) vs Arisnoidys DESPAIGNE (CUB) W.P. (74:78/70:80/72:80)
- Rayton OKWIRI (KEN) W.P. (77:75/73:79/77:75) vs Eimantas STANIONIS (LTU)
- Andrei ZAMKOVOI (RUS) W.P. (78:74/ 80:72/ 80:72) vs Gyula KATE (HUN)
SUPER HEAVY 91+ KG - FRIDAY, 25 JULY (20:30 GMT+1)
Location: Marrakesh – Venue: Palais des Congres
Mihai Nistor creates APB history once again after defeating Mohammed Arjaoui
An enthralling and gruelling clash headlined a supreme night of AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Super Heavyweight (91+ kg) Cycle I Round 2 action in Marrakesh, Morocco on Friday night.
In the main event of the evening, four-time Romanian National Champion Mihai Nistor enjoyed a remarkable victory against Mohammed Arjaoui (MAR) to become the number one contender for APB Super Heavyweight Champion Erik Pfeifer (GER).
Nistor also earned a qualification quota for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games following his superb accomplishment.
Despite fighting in hostile territory, the compact Nistor seemed comfortable from the outset, and claimed the first round on two scorecards.
Although Arjaoui enjoyed a height advantage, he could not use his reach effectively in the opening stages due to the low centre of gravity his opponent was able to utilise successfully.
The African star rallied to win the second and third rounds on all three scorecards, but tired in the middle portion of the contest as Nistor’s powerful hooks to the head and body began to make their mark.
From round five onwards it was the Romanian who was taking control of the middle of the ring, and he constantly pressured Arjaoui backwards towards the ropes.
Arjaoui attempted to respond to the fantastic support from his home fans, but Nistor eliminated any hopes time and time again with his strength and desire consistently frustrating his rival.
Nistor’s control allowed him to win the final two rounds, and he was eventually named the winner after the completion of the bout via split decision.
Two of the scoring judges awarded the European powerhouse the victory by scores of 78:74, while the third judge had Arjaoui winning by two rounds.
The respectful crowd paid homage to both warriors after the results were revealed, and Nistor, who was the first man ever to win a match in APB, can now celebrate another historic moment in the competition.
In the second Super Heavyweight clash to feature in Morocco, Ali Eren Demirezen (TUR) outpointed Istvan Bernath (HUN).
Match schedule:
- Ali DEMIREZEN (TUR) W.P. (80:71/79:73/79:73) vs Istvan BERNATH (HUN)
- Mohammed ARJAOUI (MAR) vs Mihai NISTOR (ROM) W.P. (77:75/74:78/74:78)