World class battles in the semi-finals of the Shopokov Memorial Tournament

Outstanding semi-finals were held at the 46^th edition of the Duisenkul Shopokov Memorial Tournament Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today.

The event was named after Mr. Duisenkul Shopokov, the Kyrgyz hero of the Soviet Union.

Uzbekistan’s Ziyovuddin Alijonov is one of the native talents in our sport and he used his footwork to avoid Russia’s Maksim Kuznetsov’s attacks in the first round. The 19-year-old Uzbek southpaw received more shots in the second round therefore unexpectedly Kuznetsov will be able to fight for the bantamweight (54kg) final with Kyrgyzstan’s Nurzhigit Dyushebayev.

Kyrgyzstan’s Asian U22 medallist Islam Torobayev moved forward without any stoppage and he landed several hooks in his featherweight (57kg) semi-final against Uzbekistan’s quick Sanjar Vakhobov. Torobayev had some issues in the third round but he was still able to keep the victory and he will meet for the title Uzbekistan’s Mirzabek Mirzakhalilov who stopped Russia’s Ruslan Belousov.

Uzbekistan’s Asian U22 Champion Bekzod Khamidov eliminated two strong opponents during his way to the semi-finals and the new light middleweight (71kg) is perfect for his height. Safarbek Abumutalipov was competitive in this contest and he made one of the surprises of the day to beat Khamidov by 3:2 split decision. Abumutalipov will be boxing for the gold medal with another Uzbek boxer, Komron Shukurjonov.

Kazakhstan’s first finalist in the Duisenkul Shopokov Memorial Tournament became Bakbergen Aliaskarov who triumphed over Russia’s Sergei Sergeyev in the first semi-final of the middleweight (75kg). The 19-year-old Daniel Abdurakhmanov won the Kyrgyz battle in this weight class, he was slightly better than Sultan Asankul Uulu.

Russia’s Ramazan Dadayev smashed his Uzbek opponent, Elyorbek Joroboyev in the semi-final of the heavyweight (92kg) and the referee confirmed his RSC triumph. Iran’s Ali Fatkhi Govashini had a tight success over Kyrgyzstan’s Bakyt Toktosun Uulu therefore he will meet in the final with the Russian.