Malikov, Askerov and Aliyev delighted the home crowd at the Great Silk Way Tournament

Following the female finals, the men boxers competed for their 13 titles on the fifth day of boxing at the essential Great Silk Way Tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan.  

Azerbaijan’s Khasan Malikov had a fantastic success against Uzbekistan’s Shodiyorjon Melikuziev in the semi-finals of the men’s minimumweight (48kg) and he continued his winning path on Day5 as well. The young Azeri boxer caused the first enormous surprise in the men’s finals when he defeated Kazakhstan’s World Champion Temirtas Zhussupov.

Shamil Askerov switched from Russia to Azerbaijan in 2022 and he was able to win the featherweight (57kg) at the Great Silk Way Tournament. His opponent, Uzbekistan’s Khudoynazar Fayzov started the first round better but Askerov’s heavy shots were decisive and the referee confirmed his RSC victory.

Azerbaijan’s Tayfur Aliyev had an important mission in this international event which was a selection competition for the European Games bronze medallist. The 27-year-old boxer defeated all of his main national rivals and he was also slightly better than Uzbekistan’s Abdullokh Madaminov at the light welterweight (63.5kg) final.

Russia’s Aleksandr Zyrianov had a tough welterweight (67kg) final against Iran’s Mehdi Amirizafar but he managed to win their meeting with great finish. His teammate, Khasmagomed Dzhavatkhanov walked over to the cruiserweight (86kg) title following his opponent, Azerbaijan’s Paris Olympian Murad Allakhverdiyev was not able to box.

The Uzbeks achieved five male gold medals in Baku where Asilbek Jalilov (51kg), Khujanazar Nortojiyev (54kg), Saidjamshid Jafarov (75kg), Fazliddin Erkinboyev (80kg) and the Olympic Games winner Bakhodir Jalolov (+92kg) were their winners.

Kazakhstan’s Talgat Syrymbetov (60kg) and Darkhan Duisebay (71kg) defeated experienced rivals but their Sagyndyk Togambay delivered the main sensation with the success over Azerbaijan’s World Champion Loren Berto Alfonso at the heavyweight (92kg).