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Boxing News July - December 2013 | No. 11

Boxing Superpower: KazaKhStan DominateS worlD ChampionShipS

the Future iS now: Youth & Junior worlD ChampionShipS

aoB: new ruleS For a new era

wSB SeaSon iV: CuBa ChallengeS eStaBliSheD orDer

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AIBA President’s Message

LOOKING TOWARDS A BRIGHTER FUTURE

CONTENTS 1 President’s Message

Dear members, athletes and fans, Welcome to this latest issue of Boxing News magazine, the official publication of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

These are exciting times indeed. As I predicted in the last issue of Boxing News, 2013 is proving to be a crucial year in the history of our organization and sport.

The World Series of Boxing (WSB) enjoyed its most successful and stimulating year to date in Season III with Team Finals between the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan and Ukraine Otamans that went right down to the wire. The performances of athletes on both sides captured the imagination of fans globally as they battled for supremacy.

Meanwhile, Season IV has already kicked off with the presence of our new Cuban Franchise. The competition this year has been intense, the quality of the boxing excellent and the arrival of the Domadores greeted with universal excitement. It will be fascinating to watch how things progress from here.

In other important news, we are proud to announce the opening of the AIBA World Boxing Academy in Almaty (Kazakhstan), which represents another major step forward for our sport.

Then of course we had a series of excellent competitions in the last few months, which culminated in the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013. This was one of the most wonderful tournaments we have ever seen, and more importantly, it was statistically the safest on record. This adds serious gravitas to our decision to take the revolutionary step to remove the headguards from Elite Men’s events this year.

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2013 AIBA Technical Congress

4

AIBA World Boxing Academy Opening

6

AIBA Annual Awards

14 News in Brief 20 New Features 24 AIBA Junior World Championships Kiev 2013 28 AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Championships Albena 2013 32 AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013 38 WSB Season IV 44 Feature: Boxing History 101

Yes my friends, it has been a busy year indeed. Next year, I can only promise that the pace of reform will not slow down as we continue with our tireless endeavors to improve and promote this great sport of ours.

I wish you all the best for 2014.

Ching-Kuo Wu AIBA President

Boxing News Executive Director Ho Kim Editor-in-Chief Sébastien Gillot Editorial Manager Fergus Dullaghan Graphic Design Fabio Zeppetella (AIBA) Photographers AIBA/WSB Cover page photo Daniyar Yeleussinov at the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013 Printed in Korea.

Letters, articles, photos and comments are most welcome.

The official magazine of the International Boxing Association (AIBA)

ELEVENTH EDITION 2013, July - December

AIBA - International Boxing Association Maison du Sport International Avenue de Rhodanie 54 1007 Lausanne / Switzerland Tel. +41 21 321 27 77 Fax +41 21 321 27 72 Email communication@aiba.org

All content is of AIBA ©2013.

Upon written request, AIBA will willingly authorize the reproduction of articles published in “Boxing News” unless expressly prohibited. “Boxing News” is not responsible for loss of unsolicited queries, manuscripts, or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage.

Disclaimer The views expressed in “Boxing News” are not necessarily those of AIBA. The content of this publication is based on the best knowledge and information available at the time the articles were written.

www.aiba.org ISSN 1814-7518

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2013 AIBA Technical Congress

AIBA HOLDS FRUITFUL FIRST EVER TECHNICAL CONGRESS Two days before the start of the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) held its first ever full Technical Congress in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In attendance were about 300 delegates from all the Member Federations present at the tournament.

AIBA ordinarily takes advantage of the gathering of international boxing delegates at the World Championships to hold a congress. At previous editions however, AIBA had limited itself to focusing on more narrow areas. For instance, in 2009 at the Milan World Boxing Championships, the focus was on the Referees and Judges (R&Js Congress) and in 2011 at the Baku World Boxing Championships, the attention turned to Coaches (Coaches Congress).

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This year however was the first time that a full Technical Congress was held. It included a presentation of AIBA’s new structure along with covering AIBA Statutes, Bylaws and Rules.

The main purpose of this year’s Congress was to ensure that all Member Federations were fully aware of the major new technical changes that have happened within AIBA. These include the removal of headguards for Elite Men and a change in the scoring system to the ten point must system. AIBA also generously issued the vast majority of the Federations with a new scoring machine to facilitate this transition.

2013 AIBA Technical Congress

There then followed a presentation on the World Series of Boxing (WSB), AIBA Pro Boxing (APB), and a report on the Road to Dream Program, which had just staged a training camp in Almaty prior to the World Championships.

As AIBA was within days of officially opening its pioneering World Boxing Academy, the monumental development program naturally formed part of the discussions as well. The Olympic Solidarity Program, key Technical and Competition Rules and the Management Systems for R&Js, Coaches and Ringside Doctors were also discussed along with anti-doping and the new scoring system.

The well-presented Congress was warmly received by delegates. In closing the event, AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu said “In the last five hours we have worked very intensely together. I hope the discussions have given you a clear picture of what AIBA is doing across the board. In turn it is important for you to convey this information to your Member Federations, your boxers and coaches. This is important in moving our sport forward�.

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AIBA World Boxing Academy Opening

AIBA unveils World Boxing Academy AIBA was delighted to unveil its World Boxing Academy in the Almaty region in Kazakhstan on October 24, 2013.

lush natural parkland. The same can be said for the new running track and football pitch, which offer a view that is simply breathtaking.

With the backdrop of the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013, the timing for the event could not have been more perfect. A number of dignitaries - including AIBA Executive Committee Members, Directors of the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation, and representatives of AIBA National Member Federations - were present to see the pioneering facility first hand.

In addition to these facilities and a dedicated strength and conditioning center, athletes will benefit from the medical and sports science facilities available, classroom space for educational programs and dedicated staff for nutritional, sports psychology and post career development advice. It goes without saying that they will also have the guidance of the world’s leading boxing coaches and cutting-edge video analysis technology.

As a man who is also an experienced architect, AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu was well placed to lead the tour of the Academy. All visitors were stunned by the quality of the accommodation which can house up to 170 people, as they explored the 21,000m2 facility and were delighted by the space given over to five dedicated boxing rings. There is also sufficient room to hold a small competition within the venue.

The swimming pool looked inviting with an enormous window overlooking the snow peaked mountains and

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The Academy also has the capacity to host conferences and educational activities and is expected to be fully operational by the beginning of 2014.

Dr Wu paid homage to the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation and the Kazakh Government : “Having accepting AIBA’s request, the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation and to the Kazakh Government have given their utmost to build this Academy in the shortest time possible for the global boxing family”.

AIBA World Boxing Academy Opening

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AIBA ANNUAL AWARDS

AIBA AWARDS THE VERY BEST OF 2013 The International Boxing Association (AIBA) hosted its Annual Award Ceremony, following the conclusion of the successful AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013.

All invited guests enjoyed a wonderful meal and entertainment provided in luxurious settings by the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation. The winners of the prestigious awards were presented with a magnificent trophy and certificate.

BEST AIBA ELITE MAN BOXER OF THE YEAR: Daniyar Yeleussinov (Kazakhstan) Kazakhstan’s national team captain has been outstanding throughout this competition, leading his national side to one of the best results experienced by any team at a World Championships. A talented and impressive all round Welterweight (69kg), Yeleussinov used his composure and exceptional ring-craft to dominate his opposition. He and his team have consistently made the right tactical choices and the boxer himself has made some world-class opposition look almost ordinary. Consequently, Daniyar Yeleussinov is deservedly the 2013 World Champion and AIBA Elite Man Boxer of 2013.

“I would like to thank the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation for its support and my coaches too. I would also like to thank all the members of AIBA for offering me such an amazing award”, said the boxer.

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AIBA ANNUAL AWARDS

BEST WSB BOXER OF THE YEAR: Elias Emigdio Abarca (Mexico Guerreros)

BEST AIBA YOUTH WOMAN BOXER OF THE YEAR: Claressa Shields (USA)

One of the leading lights of the successful Mexico Guerreros team, Flyweight (52kg) Emigdio Abarca was voted Best WSB Boxer for Season III by a panel of international journalists. At just 21, it seems peculiar to call him a veteran, but indeed that is what he is with three WSB seasons and 17 bouts under his belt already. This year he added another six wins to his record, losing just once and taking his record to 14-3.

He led his team all the way to the semi-finals, where it took the eventual winners Astana Arlans Kazakhstan to beat them.

USA Boxing phenomenon and London 2012 Middleweight (75kg) Olympic Champion Shields burst onto the elite scene when she won the gold medal at the 2011 US Women’s National Championships.

Her performance in the AIBA Women’s Youth World Boxing Championships this year was sublime and she cruised to gold.

“I am very grateful for having been recognized as the best boxer amongst so many talented athletes”, he said. “I think this is a reward for all my hard work, I am very happy about this and I’m highly motivated for the upcoming season. I would like to thank my coach, my family, my friends without whom this would not have been possible. I would also like to say that anything is possible and this proves that it is important that young athletes dare to dream”.

“The exciting thing about Claressa is that she represents the future of boxing. She arrived on the international scene just in time to go to the Olympic Games and now she is already focusing on going for that second gold medal”, said Christy Halbert (USA), a member of the AIBA Women’s Commission.

“My dream has always been to be the best boxer in the world. To receive this award from AIBA means a lot to me and it shows that I am getting there. I would like to thank my coach, AIBA and all the Referees and Judges, who have always been very fair to me, thank you very much”, she said.

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AIBA ANNUAL AWARDS

AIBA AWARDS THE VERY BEST OF 2013 BEST AIBA JUNIOR WOMAN BOXER OF THE YEAR: Ciara Ginty (Ireland)

BEST AIBA JUNIOR MAN BOXER OF THE YEAR: Shakur Stevenson (USA)

15-year-old Ginty became only the second Irish woman to win an AIBA World Boxing Championships gold medal after Katie Taylor, when she took the Lightweight (60kg) crown at the 2nd AIBA Women’s Junior World Championships in Albena, Bulgaria this year. She made national news headlines in her home country, with the Irish Independent newspaper reporting that Ginty had been “in imperious form in these Championships and continued in that vein in the finals with a superb demonstration of counter-punching”.

The 16-year-old is the first American boxer ever to win the major accolade. The young southpaw, who has lightning fast hands and fantastic movement won the Light Bantamweight (52kg) category of the AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships in Kiev this October.

“I was very happy with the way I performed at the competition and I was delighted when I found out I was getting the award. I think everyone was really pleased for me,” said the Irish boxer. “It is an honor to receive this and I would like to accept it on behalf of my country, my club and my family. Thank you very much”.

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“It feels great to win this award and especially to be the first boxer from the United States to ever win it”, Stevenson said a few weeks ago. “I worked really hard with my coach Pedro (Roque) this year and it definitely paid off. I’m going to keep training hard and go after my goal of winning an Olympic gold medal”.

Unfortunately, Shakur was unable to attend the ceremony so his award was accepted by Ray Silvas, from USA Boxing, on his behalf.

AIBA ANNUAL AWARDS

BEST AIBA COACH OF THE YEAR: Myrzagaly Aitzhanov (Kazakhstan) Myrzagaly Aitzhanov took over as Head Coach of the Kazakhstan Boxing Team after the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. For five years now, he has been guiding a young squad of talented boxers with his huge experience and care. In these AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013, his plans truly came to fruition with Kazakhstan comfortably at the top of the boxing world, having won eight medals in total, including 4 golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronzes.

“These World Championships has come to an end and I think that this one has been as exciting as previous editions, with a very high level of boxing”, he stated.

“Thanks to the work of Dr Ching-Kuo Wu and the AIBA team, boxing is really being developed in many countries of the world. The exciting bouts in the semi and quarterfinals showed us this. It is noteworthy for example that over 20 countries were represented at that stage of the completion. With so many great coaches at work in the world, I am really honored to accept this award. I thank you for offering it to me. However I must say that it was not simply the result of only my work but also the Federation as a whole, its athletes and its president.

BEST WSB COACH OF THE YEAR: Sergiy Korchynskyy (Ukraine - Astana Arlans Kazakhstan) Sergiy Korchynskyy led the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan team to victory against the Ukraine Otamans in the most dramatic finals the competition has witnessed to date.

Korchynskyy, who also previously experienced success with the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder, runs a team that is based around a family model. Season III Arlans boxer Eric Donovan said about him: “Korchynskyy’s drive and will to win is phenomenal; it can only be mirrored by the love and passion he has for the sport. He is a Master Tactician!”

Korchynskyy explained why he feels the WSB is so special. “I started working in the WSB in April 2010 during the exhibition match in Baku, there was wonderful international atmosphere and I made a lot of new friends. We are one international family and for me this is the most interesting and attractive thing about the WSB. I am really pleased to win this award. I would like to thank my colleagues for voting for me and I would like to thank everyone who took part in the victory we enjoyed last season. We were one united team from the security personnel through to the president of the club,

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AIBA ANNUAL AWARDS

AIBA AWARDS THE VERY BEST OF 2013 so I accept this award on behalf of the entire team”.

BEST AIBA TECHNICAL OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR: Helmut Ranze (Germany) Helmut Ranze was the Supervisor of these AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013, and made sure that the competition ran as smoothly as possible. All of us can testify that we have witnessed one of the best, if not the best AIBA World Boxing Championships to date and it is greatly thanks to his full dedication. He has worked tirelessly and it is therefore entirely natural that he receives this award for his excellent work as a token of AIBA’s appreciation.

“I feel very honored and accept this award on behalf of my ITO colleagues, because you are the ones who do all the detailed work that makes these events possible”, said Helmut Ranze. “I would also like to thank the AIBA staff, the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation and all the Referees and Judges for their work in preparing these excellent Championships”.

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BEST WSB SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR: Ray Silvas (USA) Ray Silvas was selected from among a group of highly respected Supervisors who managed WSB matches last season. Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the WSB event they attend, Supervisors ensure that events operate smoothly and in a professional and transparent manner. Ray Silvas is one of the best in the world at it. Not only does he represent AIBA’s voice on the ground, but he is also our eyes and ears as well, providing us with useful feedback about how our procedures can be improved. Renowned for his common sense approach, Ray Silvas’ work is deeply appreciated by AIBA. “It comes as a surprise. It is a real honor to be selected from such a distinguished group of people and I accept this award on behalf of my colleagues. Thank you very much.”

AIBA ANNUAL AWARDS

BEST AIBA REFEREE & JUDGE OF THE YEAR: Mik Basi (England)

BEST WSB REFEREE & JUDGE OF THE YEAR: Gerardo Poggi (Argentina)

An AIBA 5-Star R&J who has demonstrated his talent in both AIBA and WSB competitions for many years.

Basi is a model for his fellow colleagues and is always keen to give advice. A little over a year ago, he took the Olympic Oath at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, on behalf of all the Referees and Judges of the Games. This was a source of huge pride for AIBA.

Gerardo Poggi, who has been a Referee for 16 years, was selected from a group of highly professional and talented Referees who are officiating in WSB matches.

He is an AIBA 5-Star R&J and is both well appreciated by his colleagues and respected by the boxers. He officiated in six matches last season.

“I thought after London 2012 that my boxing career could not get any better. On receiving this award however, I can state that it just did”, said Basi. “I would like to thank my family without whom I could not be here. I would also like thank President Wu for a wonderful World Championships. I am indebted to Terry Smith, who many years ago saw something in me and encouraged me to become a better referee.

Finally thanks to AIBA for developing and overseeing the implementation of the robust 5-Star Referee program. I would like to accept this award on behalf of all the Referees and Judges. Thank you very much”.

“The hardest and most important part about being a Referee is to ensure a bout is just and fair. In football, if a Referee makes a mistake, it can be unfortunate, but in boxing it is far more serious as we are talking about people’s safety. As a Judge meanwhile, it is important to be completely neutral. That means not looking at countries, nationalities or political problems and to award the win to the person who has truly deserved it. I would like to thank everyone who have helped me get to where I am today. Boxing is my life, so this means so much to me. Thank you”.

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AIBA ANNUAL AWARDS

AIBA AWARDS THE VERY BEST OF 2013 BEST SPORTSMANSHIP OF THE YEAR: Eyüp Gözgeç (Turkey) Upon seeing the application by Jeju Island in Korea to host the 2014 AIBA Congress, the Turkish Boxing Federation graciously withdrew its own bid to host the event, thus allowing the Boxing Association of Korea to celebrate its comeback within the AIBA Family after years of turmoil. Such a display of generous sportsmanship did not go unnoticed by AIBA, who applaud the President of the Turkish Boxing Federation, Eyüp Gözgec for his selfless act.

“I am really honored to be given this award by the AIBA Family”, said Gözgec. “It is with an immense pride that I receive it. I feel that I am receiving it, not only for myself, but for my Federation and Turkey as a whole. I will do my best in the future to further prove that I am worthy of it”.

AIBA President closed the Ceremony by thanking everyone for their hard work, in particular the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation for hosting both the Awards Ceremony and the World Championships.“I think you can see that we have here on the stage some of the best people in the boxing world, they have worked extremely hard for their sport and they are all very well deserving of these awards”.

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AIBA NEWS IN BRIEF

AIBA APPOINTS SUPERVISORS FOR THE NANJING 2014 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE RIO 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES The President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, appointed Mr Tom Virgets (USA) as the Supervisor of the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games scheduled to run between August 16-28 in the capital of Jiangsu province, China.

“I have full confidence that your experience and knowledge of the sport of boxing will contribute to the great success of this important event”, stated Dr Wu in his appointment letter.

AIBA is also delighted to announce that it has appointed Mr David Francis (Wales) as the AIBA Supervisor of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Mr Francis will oversee all aspects of the boxing event at the Games.

“I would like to convey my great appreciation for your outstanding past performances as one of AIBA’s Supervisors”, stated AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu in his appointment letter.

“I am convinced that you are the most suitable and capable person to perform the duties and responsibilities required of the AIBA Supervisor for the Olympic Boxing Competitions in the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I appoint you to this position and I appreciate in advance all the hard work and efforts you will put in for the success of these Olympic Games”.

Mr Adam Kusior (Poland) and Mr Yan Yue (China) have in the meantime been appointed Deputy Supervisors.

PRESIDENT WU ELECTED ASOIF COUNCIL MEMBER AIBA President and Executive Board Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr Wu was elected as a Council Member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

The election was held at the ASOIF General Assembly in St.-Petersburg (Russia), on the occasion of the 2013 SportAccord Convention. The mandate of an ASOIF Council Member lasts for four years.

“Just a year after I was elected ASOIF representative on the IOC Executive Board, it is with great pleasure that I again feel the support of the members of the ASOIF Family”, stated Dr Wu. “Throughout my 25 years in the Olympic Movement, I have always put all my strength into the promotion and the sharing of the core values of the Olympism: Sport, Culture and Education. I am proud to realize that my commitment is appreciated and supported”.

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AIBA NEWS IN BRIEF

CHANGES IN THE AIBA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AIBA would like to formally congratulate the following for their appointments to the AIBA Executive Committee.

Mr Terry Smith (Wales), AIBA Executive Committee Member and Chairman of the AIBA Refereeing & Judging Commission was appointed as a new member of the AIBA Executive Committee Bureau.

Mr Malik Babaev (Uzbekistan). First Vice President of the Uzbekistan Boxing Federation, he replaces Gen. Boonlert Kaewprasit, non-voting EC Member as WSB representative recommended by the WSB Board.

Mr Adam Kusior (Poland). Chairman of the AIBA Coaches Commission and first Vice President of the Polish Boxing Association, he replaces Mr Franco Falcinelli, the EUBC President, who was recently appointed as AIBA Vice President.

Mr Yoon Seok Chang (Korea), President of the Boxing Association of Korea, has been appointed as a new member of the AIBA Executive Committee.

Mr Alberto Puig de la Barca (Cuba), President of the Cuban Boxing Federation was appointed as a new Member of the AIBA Executive Committee. He replaces Mr Luiz Boselli of Brazil: “I would like to congratulate you all on your appointments and thank you for all your past and future endeavors for the betterment of our organization”, said Dr Wu in a statement.

PRESIDENT WU RECEIVES TAIWAN 1ST CLASS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION-CULTURE MEDAL Dr Wu received the 1st Class Professional Education-Culture Medal by Taiwan Minister of Education Dr Wei-Ling Chiang on August 22, 2013.

This award honors Dr Wu’s decades-long contributions to the development of sports in his home nation and at the international level.

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AIBA NEWS IN BRIEF

EC MEMBER ELEVATED TO THE RANK OF MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE STAR AND KEY OF THE INDIAN OCEAN (MSK) Mr Godavarisingh Rajcoomar from Mauritius was recently elevated to the rank of Member of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (MSK), the highest rank in the region.

The member of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Executive Committee (EC), was presented with the award by none other than the country’s President.

“I congratulate you upon your elevation to the rank”, declared Mr Rajkeswur Purryag, GCSK, GOSK, President of the Republic of Mauritius. “I am delighted that your contribution in the field of sports has been recognized in this way”.

“I would like to convey my wholehearted congratulations for this honor bestowed upon you”, said AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu. “Over the years, I have personally seen your commitment and involvement for the promotion and development of sports, and this medal perfectly testifies to your dedication and contribution”.

AIBA PRESIDENT VISITS BULGARIA Dr Wu travelled to Bulgaria to attend the finals of the AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Championships Albena 2013.

On this occasion he met with the Minister of Youth and Sport of Bulgaria, Mrs Mariana Georgieva, and the President of the Bulgarian National Olympic Committee, Mrs Stefka Kostadinova. Together they spoke about the development of boxing and sport in general in Bulgaria.

AIBA PRESIDENT RECEIVES HIGHEST NATIONAL AWARD Dr Wu was awarded the “Dostyk” Award by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, for his dedication to the development of the sport of boxing worldwide, and to the Olympic Movement in general. The Award was presented by Prime Minister, Mr Serik Akhmetov.

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AIBA NEWS IN BRIEF

AIBA MOURNS LONG-SERVING FRIENDS It is with very great sorrow that the International Boxing Association (AIBA) announces the loss of the former colleagues and friends this year: Mr Jorge Gúzman Socarras, Cuba. Former AIBA Vice President and American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) President, Mr Gúzman Socarras served our sport with all his heart and passion as a boxer, coach and leader.

Mr Jim Little, Cook Islands. Former AIBA Executive Committee Member, Little had resigned at the end of 2008 to move to New Zealand and battle against a long illness.

Mr Stefan Rogala, Poland. A former Polish Boxing Association Vice President, member of the Youth and Technical Commissions, AIBA Technical Delegate, a teacher and a mentor for a few generations of Polish R&Js and Officials.

Mr Tonumaivao Navy Epati, Cook Islands. President of the Cook Islands Boxing Association.

The AIBA President led tributes from the AIBA Family, expressing his condolences to the families, colleagues and boxing associations of the deceased.

MALTA BOXING FEDERATION JOINS AIBA FAMILY AIBA was delighted to announce that the Malta Boxing Federation (MBF) was accepted on July 18, 2013 as a Provisional Member of the AIBA Family by the AIBA Executive Committee.

Mr Fabrizio Bazzi, President of the Malta Boxing Federation cited the Bible to express his delight: “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22).” We feel overwhelmed with the blessing of being back in the AIBA Family,” he went on to say. “Our Federation has spent two long years away from AIBA and we are now looking forward to a prosperous future”.

Although this membership is provisional, subject to the approval of the 2014 AIBA Congress, AIBA now comprises 196 National Member Federations.

AIBA PRESIDENT RECEIVES RUSSIAN ORDER OF MERIT Dr Wu received the Order of Merit from the Russian Government for his dedication to sport on July 6, 2013.

Present in Russia to attend the Opening Ceremony of the XXVII Summer Universiades in Kazan, Dr Wu was given this award by Mr Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko, Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy of the Russian Federation, along with the presidents of the Badminton World Federation, the International Weightlifting Federation, the Judo World Federation and the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

The XXVII Summer Universiades took place in the capital city of Tatarstan between the July 5-17.

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AIBA NEWS IN BRIEF

FRESH BLOOD FOR AIBA NATIONAL MEMBER FEDERATIONS AIBA would like to congratulate the following people on their elections to our National Federations: Mr Alberto Brasca was elected President of the Italian Boxing Federation.

Doda Khan Bhutto was re-elected as Pakistan Boxing Federation President with Mr Iqbal Hussain as Secretary General.

Mr André Martin was elected President of the French Boxing Federation.

Mr Valentin Ouedraogo was elected President of the Fédération Burkinabé de Boxe.

Mr Abdeljaouad Belhaj was re-elected President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Boxe.

Mr Pichai Chunhavajira was elected President of the Thailand Boxing Association.

Mr Bashar Mustafa Othman was re-elected President of the Iraqi Boxing Association.

Mr Pascal Telvar was elected President of the Association Mauricienne de Boxe.

Mr. Mauro Jose Da Silva was re-elected President of the Confederacão Brasileira de Boxeo.

Mr Sandor Csötönyi was re-elected President of the Hungarian Boxing Association.

Mr Ralph A. James was re-elected President of the Boxing Association of Grenada.

Mr Pat Fiacco was re-elected President of the Canadian Boxing Association.

Mr Ricky P. Vargas was re-elected President of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines.

Mr Jürgen Kyas was re-elected President of the German Boxing Federation.

Mr John Kameta was elected President of the Boxing Association of Kenya.

Mr Marek Stevcek was elected President of the Slovakia Boxing Association.

Mr Eric Dura Sesay was elected President of the Sierra Leone Boxing Association.

Mr Kenneth Gimugu was elected President of the Uganda Boxing Federation.

Mr Tomas Cianca was elected President of the Panamanian Boxing Federation.

Maj. Gen. KTJ Minimah was re-elected President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation.

Mr Anthony Jones was re-elected President of the Barbados Boxing Association.

Mr David Byron Francis was elected President of Welsh Boxing.

Mr Ted Tanner was re-elected President of Boxing Australia Board of Directors.

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AIBA NEWS IN BRIEF

AIBA PRESIDENT RECEIVES DOCTORATE FROM THE US SPORTS ACADEMY Dr Wu received Honorary Doctorate from the United States Sports Academy on November 15, 2013.

Dr Wu was awarded in recognition of his 30-year long involvement in the Olympic Movement, the successful reform of AIBA, the transformation of the sport of boxing as a whole and his dedication.

The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the USA and the world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports. For more information about the Academy, visit www.ussa.edu.

BOXING INCLUDED IN THE EUROPEAN GAMES BAKU 2015 PROGRAM AIBA was delighted to announce that the AIBA Executive Committee unanimously accepted the request of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) to include the sport of boxing in the European Games Baku 2015.

In a letter sent to Mr Patrick Hickey, EOC President, AIBA President Dr Wu stated: “We are pleased to have an opportunity to work with the EOC for this prestigious event. Once again, on behalf of the International Boxing Association, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation for your kind support and interest in our sport”.

BOXING ASSOCIATION OF KOREA WELCOMED BACK INTO THE AIBA FAMILY AIBA was very pleased to announce that the AIBA Executive Committee decided on May 11, 2013 to lift the provisional exclusion (imposed in August 2012) on the previous Korean Amateur Boxing Federation and to recognize the results of the election held on April 8 during which Mr Yoon Seok Chang became President of the new Boxing Association of Korea.

Following a presentation of the Reform Recommendations of the Boxing Association of Korea, presented by the Chairman and the Secretary General of the Reform Committee, Prof. Ju-Ho Chang and Mr Jae-Kyu Jung, the AIBA Executive Committee was truly impressed by the new vision and planned initiatives for reviving the sport of boxing in Korea.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome your National Federation back as an AIBA Member”, stated AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu in a letter sent to Mr Yoon Seok Chang. “I am convinced that your leadership will herald a new golden age for boxing in Korea”.

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 19

REMOVAL OF THE HEADGUARD

The headguard is a thing of the past AIBA has announced in 2013 that for the first time since 1984, Elite Men will no longer wear headguards in competitions, with the rule changes having come into effect at the World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013.

The decision was taken after extensive research on boxers’ safety, and particularly two statistical reviews by the AIBA Medical Commission (in which more than 2,000 bouts were studied) and an independent study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, in which almost 30,000 bouts were reviewed over the past 59 years. All available data indicated that the removal of headguards in Elite Men competitions would result in a decreased number of concussions.

The data was presented at a joint meeting with between the Chairman of the AIBA Medical Commission and the IOC Medical Commission. In January 2013, the AIBA Medical Commission consequently voted unanimously to support the removal of headguards as a safety measure for Elite Men Boxers. However, as stated in point 22.1.3 of the AIBA Open Boxing (AOB) Competition Rules, “For the Olympic Games, Rule 22.1. [the removal of headguards] will only be effective subject to the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).”

The headguard ban will only affect Men Boxers at the top level of AOB competitions, meaning Women’s Boxers and younger fighters will still wear them.

Although highly counterintuitive, it is believed that removing the headguards will vastly improve boxers’ safety; partly as it will improve the athletes’ peripheral vision, allowing them to better avoid hooks and other shots that come at angles. Ordinarily these punches lie in blind spots created by the headguards. It will also prevent boxers from going into contacts head first as when wearing the headguard, boxers feel overly safe and thus take more risks and endure more blows and collisions of the head overall.

According to Dr Charles Butler, Chairman of the AIBA Medical Commission, who is a retired cardiac surgeon and Ringside Doctor and was responsible for spearheading the study, concussion is not as much of an issue for women and younger fighters who often lack the strength to land such heavy blows. Therefore, he concluded that they should continue to wear headguards to protect themselves from cuts.

There may indeed be an increased incidence of cuts among Elite Men as a result of the rule changes, but the reduction in concussions is believed to far outweigh this soft tissue damage as a medical benefit.

After collecting data on some 15,000 boxer rounds, Dr Butler found that in the 7,352 rounds that took place with boxers wearing headguards, the rate of concussion was 0.38%, compared with 0.17% per boxer per round in the 7,545 rounds without.

This certainly proved to be the case in Almaty. The Medical Commission feedback from the Championships suggests that it was actually the safest AIBA World Boxing Championships on record with a concussion rate of just 0.22%. This is down from the 0.64% in Milan in 2009 and 0.63% in Baku in 2011 (events in which headguards were used). Moreover, although there were cuts in the Championships, there were only two bouts which were stopped because of them.

20 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

REMOVAL OF THE HEADGUARD

a boxer’s perspective “Competing without a headguard is good. There are no more injuries than before so being without a headguard is fine” - Mohamed Flissi (Algeria) “It is much better. I know there have been a few cuts but I prefer it. I think you can see shots coming and make sure you are clear of them. I would rather it stayed this way myself” - Fred Evans (Wales) “I think it is better because you can see the opponent better and you get more air while you are competing” - Lindolfo Delgado (Mexico) “I am finding this new rule brilliant actually. I feel looser in there. I have better head movement and much more vision” - Sean McComb (Ireland)

“I love the experience without a headguard. It gives you a much better view so it is easier to box and you sweat a lot less. So it is more comfortable when you are boxing and you get less sweat in your eyes which is good” - Filip Hrgovic (Croatia) “The really strange part for me is not actually about getting hit. That just feels the same. The really weird part is that it is much harder to hit people because the target is smaller. You used to sometimes just catch the headguard. In addition, with the sweat, the punches slide off more” - Thomas McCarthy (Ireland) “I know it is been bad for the few who got cut, but in the end it will teach people to box better. People will learn not to rush in. You can see the punches more easily and slip them more easily so I think it is for the good” - Andrew Selby (Wales)

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 21

AIBA NEW SCORING SYSTEM

10-point must system proving popular Along with the removal of headguards, AIBA has also made an important rule amendment through the introduction of a pro-style scoring system which moves the Olympic sport much closer to the pro version.

The electronic scoring system has now been replaced by the 10-point must scoring system. This change aims at making AIBA Open Boxing (AOB - once known as amateur boxing), more appealing to young boxers seeking pro careers.

Previously, AOB had five Judges scoring each punch round by round on computer terminals. At the end of each round, the average of the three closest scores was used to calculate the scores of each boxer.

Under the 10-point must system, introduced by AIBA as of June 1, 2013, the winner of a round is awarded 10 points and the loser from nine down to a minimum

22 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

of six points, depending on the superiority of the boxer who wins the round. There are also no 10-10 rounds.

Under the new scoring system, there are still five Judges, but either the computer, or a Supervisor, if a computer is not in use, randomly selects the three Judges whose scores will be counted for each bout. As Judges do not know beforehand if their scores will be used or not, scoring will become more transparent than ever.

“It is AIBA’s duty to bring the sport of boxing to the pinnacle of the Olympic Movement, and I am convinced that these changes will critically contribute to the development of our beloved sport”, said AIBA President Dr Wu. “These decisions have not been made lightly, and we will now put a lot of efforts into educating our National Member Federations, our officials, boxers and coaches, as well as boxing fans around the world as to why they are needed”.

AIBA NEW SCORING SYSTEM

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 23

AIBA JUNIOR World BOXING Championships

Russia Dominate World Junior Championships The first AIBA international event of the year, the AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships took place in Kiev in September, where Cuba and Russia claimed three gold medals while the hosts (Ukraine) and Kazakhstan both saw two athletes at the top of the podium. Meanwhile, Australia, Ireland and the United States of America also had good tournaments.

Overall, Russia was clearly the dominant force, with the juniors repeating the success of the senior team at the European Championships earlier in the year. The Russian team took a total of ten medals overall from an available 52, with three golds, five silvers and two bronzes being taken home by the squad.

Nonetheless, it was Cuba that bagged the first gold with Junior National Games winner Joahnys Oscar Argilagos Perez defeating Russia’s Svyatoslav Varankin at Pinweight (46kg).

The Cuban team only entered six boxers, yet three of them went home with gold, which is an astonishing return per capita. The second Cuba vs. at Bantamweight (54kg) was one of the most highly anticipated bouts in the event with a clash between two future champions who are clearly in the making. Two-time Cuban Junior National Games winner Alayn Limonta Boudet managed to edge a split decision over European Junior Champion Suleiman Bammatov in a close contest to hand Cuba the victory.

Cuba’s third gold medal (in a row) was acquired

by Maikel Yoan Franco Barrero at Light Bantamweight (50kg). The 16-year-old Cuban boxer was spectacular against Armenia’s national team captain European Junior Championships bronze medallist Hrayr Shahverdyan. The Cuban boxer had only one loss this year going into the Championships and now has a very good chance of being involved in the upcoming 2014 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships.

24 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

Russia were not done however. Their best junior boxer, Ilya Kulikov, was the favorite in the Light Welterweight (63kg) category. As the most experienced fighter in the AIBA Junior World Championships, he did not disappoint on his way to gold. His teammate European Schoolboys Champion Ivan Kozlovskiy also earned the gold medal in Kiev after beating Moldova’s European Junior Championships silver medallist Vladislav Tugui in the final of the Lightweight (60kg) category.

Russia’s third gold medal was taken by their Heavyweight (80+kg) fighter, Asia Games silver medallist Rustam Ibraykhaliyev who comes from the city of Noyabrsk. The 16-year-old fighter began boxing in 2006 and moved up to this weight division just before the Championships. His experience was enough to see off Belarus’ Maksim Kazlou for the gold in spite of a height disadvantage.

AIBA JUNIOR World BOXING Championships

Russia’s No.1 Middleweight (75kg) Vitaliy Bakhmatov had won all 18 of his bouts this year prior to the Championships, but his dominance came to an abrupt end at the hands of Australia’s tough Oceania Junior Champion Satali Tevi Fuimaono. The multiple time Australian National Champion fighter is of Samoan descent and repeated the feat that his compatriot Jai Tapu Opetaia accomplished two years ago when he became AIBA Junior World Champion. Opetaia went on to compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games, which suggests that Fuimaono could also be one for the country to keep an eye on as a source of potential future stardom.

The host nation Ukraine had several athletes that neutral observers had tipped as medal contenders prior to the event. Three of them were able to live up to expectations. Ramil Gadzhyyev stopped Kazakhstan’s Kadyrbek Sadykbek at Light Middleweight (70kg) while his teammate Robert Marton triumphed over Russia’s Junior National Champion Vladislav Redko to give both Ukrainians

gold. The host nation’s third finalist Ruslan Zubachuk was defeated by US Junior National Champion Shakur Stevenson who started boxing at the age of just 5. The results saw Ukraine reach fourth place in the medals table (or an unofficial 3rd if you are simply counting the total medal tally rather than medal type, with a total of five).

Kazakhstan was another country that had a great showing at the event. Having claimed only one gold medal in the last edition of the AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships on home soil in Astana, they performed significantly better in Kiev. Eight of their young athletes took medals and two of them reached the top of the podium in the competition, leaving them third in the medal table. Asian Junior Champion 16-year-old Abylaykhan Zhussupov defeated Russia’s Gusein Magomedov at Featherweight (57kg), while their continental champion Rakhat Marzhikpayev did not give Azerbaijan’s Rovshan Musayev any chance to impose himself at Welterweight (66kg), which is also traditionally Kazakhstan’s most successful weight category.

Ireland’s only finalist was two-time Junior National Champion William Donoghue who faced US Junior Trials winner, 15-year-old Daniel Gonzalez. Both were unbeaten this year prior their contest. Their Light Flyweight (48kg) contest was a wonderful affair with an extremely high quality of boxing being shown by both athletes. An Irish victory ensued following a split decision. Donoghue’s win was the first time we have seen an Irish gold medallist at this level since Joseph Ward in 2009, who has of course since gone on to achieve great things.

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 25

AIBA JUNIOR World BOXING Championships

RESULTS PINweight (44-46 kg)

LIGHT WELTERweight (63kg)

PEREZ Joahnys

CUB

Gold

KULIKOV Ilya

RUS

Gold

VARANKIN Svyatoslav

RUS

Silver

HUSEYNOV Ismayil

AZE

Silver

BESKEMPIR Alimzhan

KAZ

Bronze

SANTOS OLIVERA Cassio

BRA

Bronze

PICAZO Israel

MEX

Bronze

JANG Byeonghee

KOR

Bronze

LIGHT FLYweight (48kg)

WELTERweight (66kg)

DONOGHUE William

IRL

Gold

MARZHIKPAYEV Rakhat

KAZ

Gold

GONZALEZ Daniel

USA

Silver

MUSAYEV Rovshan

AZE

Silver

LOPEZ MARCANO Jonathan

PUR

Bronze

MERJANOV Eldar

UZB

Bronze

TEMIRZHANOV Serik

KAZ

Bronze

NEGMATULLOEV Shabbos

TJK

Bronze

FLYweight (50kg)

LIGHT MIDDLEweight (70kg)

BARRERO Maikel

CUB

Gold

GADZHYYEV Ramil

UKR

Gold

SHAHVERDYAN Hrayr

ARM

Silver

SADYKBEK Kadyrbek

KAZ

Silver

MAZUR Stoyan

KAZ

Bronze

TARVERDILI Huseyn

AZE

Bronze

KOSTIUK Roman

RUS

Bronze

KHARCHENKO Vladimir

RUS

Bronze

LIGHT BANTAMweight (52kg)

MIDDLEweight (75kg)

STEVENSON Shakur

USA

Gold

TEVI-FUIMAONO Satali

AUS

Gold

ZUBACHUK Ruslan

UKR

Silver

BAKHMATOV Vitaly

RUS

Silver

TEMIRKHAN Bauyrzhan

KAZ

Bronze

VIKTOROV Ihor

UKR

Bronze

JAN Chun-Hsien

TPE

Bronze

CONROY Sean

IRL

Bronze

BANTAMweight (54kg)

LIGHT HEAVYweight (80kg)

BOUDET Alayn

CUB

Gold

MARTON Robert

UKR

Gold

BAMMATOV Suleiman

RUS

Silver

REDKO Vladislav

RUS

Silver

MICIK Ahmet

TUR

Bronze

MEHDIYEV Shukran

AZE

Bronze

LEBRON Henry Jr

PUR

Bronze

GRUNDLER Alexander

GER

Bronze

FEATHERweight (57kg)

HEAVYweight (80+kg)

ZHUSSUPOV Ablaikhan

KAZ

Gold

IBRAIKHALIEV Rustam

RUS

Gold

MAGOMEDOV Gusein

RUS

Silver

KAZLOU Maksim

BLR

Silver

ARSLAN Onur

TUR

Bronze

ZISKO Dmitriy

KAZ

Bronze

DOBONDI Sorin

ROU

Bronze

ABRAHAMYAN Aram

ARM

Bronze

LIGHTweight (60kg) KOZLOVSKIY Ivan

RUS

Gold

TUGUI Vladislav

MDA

Silver

ISHCHENKO Myroslav

UKR

Bronze

MOLLOY Kieran

IRL

Bronze

26 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

AIBA JUNIOR World BOXING Championships

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 27

AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Championships

Future stars crowned in Albena Poland was the surprise package in the Women’s Junior/Youth World Boxing Championships in Albena (Bulgaria), where they dominated the Youth rankings, while Kazakhstan was the runner-up overall. China came third in the Youth section. Meanwhile, in the Junior section of the Championships, Russia led the field while Kazakhstan were again in second place. The United States of America took third.

The individual star of the tournament was undoubtedly London 2012 Olympic Champion Claressa Shields who managed to meet the burden of expectations as she took home the gold medal. Following her easy win over Russia’s Matrena Vyachkina in the semifinals, the Middleweight (75kg) star defeated Poland’s Elzbieta Wojcik in the finals and was awarded the Best Youth Boxer trophy as well. Shields is expected to return to the elite level next year at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.

Her compatriots earned two further gold medals for the United States in Albena through Caitlin Orosco and Jajaira Gonzalez in the Pinweight (46kg) and Featherweight (57kg) categories respectively.

Poland’s success began when European Youth Champion Paulina Jakubczyk defeated her main rival, Russia’s Oksana Paltceva in the semi-finals and then tore through China’s Gao Meiling in the Featherweight (57kg) finals. Her teammate Aneta Rygielska triumphed over Kazakhstan’s former AIBA Junior World Champion Aidana Arapbayeva in the Youth Lightweight (60kg) category while Poland’s third gold medal was taken by Junior competitor Justyna Walas at Light Welterweight (63kg). This made for the best ever performance for the Polish women’s team in an AIBA competition.

28 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

Kazakhstan’s only gold medal was won by Gaukhar Yermekbay who had a close bout against Ireland’s Christine Desmond in the Youth Welterweight (69kg) category. Ireland did take a gold elsewhere however, as Ciara Ginty continued her winning streak against Turkey’s Esra Yildiz. The 16-year-old Irish girl was named also the Best Junior Boxer of the Championships.

Top boxing nation Russia claimed five gold medals. Their rising star Maria Shishmareva opened the account when she dominated all of her fights at the Junior Heavyweight (80+kg) category while her teammates Ekaterina Paltceva, Svetlana Khodarevskaya and Vlada Kalacheva also claimed golds in the Juniors.

Meanwhile Youth Heavyweight (80+kg) star Saida Gamidova defeated her main rival, Ukraine’s Iryna Vynnyk, and bagged the fifth title for the country.

Russia did suffer an upset when Hungary’s experienced National Elite Champion Petra Szatmari knocked down their European Junior Champion Ekaterina Serova in the third frame. This proved to be the turning point of their final which resulted in a gold medal for the Hungarian Light Heavyweight (80kg) boxer.

AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Championships

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 29

AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Championships

WOMEN’S JUNIOR RESULTS PINweight (44-46 kg)

LIGHT WELTERweight (63kg)

OROSCO Caitlin

USA

Gold

WALAS Justyna

POL

Gold

JURGARAYEVA Nazerke

KAZ

Silver

SCHUSTER Vaolele

AUS

Silver

SHAKSHUY Veronika

UKR

Bronze

ABIKEYEVA Aida

KAZ

Bronze

BONATTI Roberta

ITA

Bronze

MA Xinyang

CHN

Bronze

LIGHT FLYweight (48kg)

WELTERweight (66kg)

PALTCEVA Ekaterina

RUS

Gold

MARZHIKPAYEV Rakhat

RUS

Gold

ASKAROVA Assyl

KAZ

Silver

MUSAYEV Rovshan

KAZ

Silver

LYNCH Jacqui

IRL

Bronze

MERJANOV Eldar

ROU

Bronze

ROKA Asha

AIB

Bronze

NEGMATULLOEV Shabbos

POL

Bronze

FLYweight (50kg)

LIGHT MIDDLEweight (70kg)

CHANG Yuan

CHN

Gold

SURMENELI Busenaz

TUR

Gold

GRIGORYAN Anush

ARM

Silver

MICHEL Davina

FRA

Silver

KAWECKA Agata

POL

Bronze

TE TOMO Rangiwhakaoma

NZL

Bronze

JONES Ebonie

ENG

Bronze

AKBAYEVA Bayan

KAZ

Bronze

LIGHT BANTAMweight (52kg)

MIDDLEweight (75kg)

TESTA Irma

ITA

Gold

CHEN Nien-Chin

TPE

Gold

MEURANT Santiana

FRA

Silver

CHEN Simin

CHN

Silver

RUSKYKH Iryna

UKR

Bronze

MUKYSHBEKOVA Altyn

KAZ

Bronze

OSHAKBAY Aigerim

KAZ

Bronze

YEVGRAFOVA Yuliya

UKR

Bronze

BANTAMweight (54kg)

LIGHT HEAVYweight (80kg)

BONDARENKO Anhelina

UKR

Gold

KALACHEVA Vlada

RUS

Gold

MUZDIMAN Balaussa

KAZ

Silver

SHAMSHIDENOVA Akmaral

KAZ

Silver

HOVSEPYAN Ani

ARM

Bronze

METIN Canan

TUR

Bronze

SMIRNOVA Oxana

RUS

Bronze

MIHAYLOVA Viktoria

BUL

Bronze

FEATHERweight (57kg)

HEAVYweight (80+kg)

GONZALEZ Jajaira

USA

Gold

SHISHMAREVA Maria

RUS

Gold

NESMIYANOVA Anastasia

RUS

Silver

CAKAR Melike

TUR

Silver

ICHSHANOVA Nazym

KAZ

Bronze

GADZHIYEVA Alina

AZE

Bronze

BAO Linying

CHN

Bronze

MARTINCONI Patricia

ROU

Bronze

LIGHTweight (60kg) GINTY Ciara

IRL

Gold

YILDIZ Esra

TUR

Silver

ANISSIMOVA Yekaterina

KAZ

Bronze

KENNEY Iesha

USA

Bronze

30 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

AIBA Women’s Junior/Youth World Championships

WOMEN’S YOUTH RESULTS LIGHT FLYweight (46-49kg)

LIGHT WelterWEIGHT (64kg)

POPTOLEVA Venelina V.

BUL

Gold

ALEXIUSSON Agnes Sophia S.

SWE

Gold

OKHOTA Hanna

UKR

Silver

SUBINUER Airiken

CHN

Silver

LOPEZ Marisol Llamas

USA

Bronze

TOMAS Daria

RUS

Bronze

BALIKIBEKOVA Alua

KAZ

Bronze

SATILMIS Hava

TUR

Bronze

Flyweight (52kg)

WELTERWEIGHT (69kg)

LIN Yu-Ting

TPE

Gold

YERMEKBAY Gauhar

KAZ

Gold

ISTIK Neriman

TUR

Silver

DESMOND Christine

IRL

Silver

BARKER Crystal Louise

ENG

Bronze

KINCHEN Samantha Maria

USA

Bronze

GANGLOFF Mailys Anastasia S. FRA

Bronze

CALISKAN Sema

TUR

Bronze

BantamWEIGHT (56kg)

MIDDLEWEIGHT (75kg)

YUAN Yunzi

CHN

Gold

SHIELDS Claresa Maria

USA

Gold

NIKHAT Zareen

AIB

Silver

WOJCIK Elzbieta

POL

Silver

DIMITROVA Gabriela Rostisova

BUL

Bronze

VIACHKINA Matrena

RUS

Bronze

VIRT Viktoriya

UKR

Bronze

KHALZOVA Valentina

KAZ

Bronze

FEATHERWEIGHT (60kg)

LIGHT HeavyWEIGHT (81kg)

JAKUBCZYK Paulina Natalia

POL

Gold

SZATMARI Petra

HUN

Gold

GAO Meiling

CHN

Silver

SEROVA Ekaterina

RUS

Silver

PALTCEVA Oxana

RUS

Bronze

LUTCHAK Ivanna

UKR

Bronze

NICOLSON Elizabeth Claire

AUS

Bronze

RYLINA Anastassiya

KAZ

Bronze

LIGHTWeIGHT (60kg)

HeavyWEIGHT (81+kg)

RYGIELSKA Aneta Elizbieta

POL

Gold

GAMIDOVA Saida

AZE

Gold

ARAPBAYEVA Aidana

KAZ

Silver

VYNNYK Iryna

KAZ

Silver

DEMIR Ulku

TUR

Bronze

CAKAR Busra

ITA

Bronze

BAATTH Simranjit Kaur

AIB

Bronze

BANICZ Vivien

GER

Bronze

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 31

AIBA WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Kazakhstan rule the World of Boxing As the last of the late summer sun began to fade and the air became cool around Almaty, hundreds of fit looking men in brightly colored tracksuits began appearing around the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports in the heart of Kazakhstan’s biggest city.

The city itself is less known to boxing fans than Astana, home of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) seasonwinning Astana Arlans Kazakhstan team. But Almaty is an old and distinguished location. Situated in the snow-capped southern Kazakh mountains, close to the border of both Kyrgyzstan and China, it was once an important part of the Silk Road that ran from Beijing across the Middle East to Europe. The region is also believed to be the birthplace of the apple. Even with all the city’s activities, the arrival of the AIBA Family, and its rainbow of team strips, did not go unnoticed in this boxing-loving country as we prepared for the world’s biggest boxing event since the London 2012 Olympic Games.

32 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

Everything about the event was well-done; from the way the teams and officials were greeted at the airport, to the hotels they were whisked off to. Kazakhstan likes to pride itself on its welcoming atmosphere and they are not wrong to do so. The event volunteers, in particular were a credit to themselves and their country.

They were among the most helpful and professional volunteers we have ever seen. They proved to be excellent translators and had the initiative and ability to help the AIBA staff cope with the usual buzz of frenzied activity in the final build up to the event.

AIBA WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Opening Ceremony was particularly spectacular, featuring dancers, amazing lighting and a beautiful tribute to all of Kazakhstan’s past World Champions.

Stretching right back into the old Soviet era, Kazakhstan’s former champions did a lap of honor, waving to a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd.

Then the action kicked off. Team USA boxer Malik Jackson and his Angolan opponent Vivaldo Rodrigues opened the event with the American athlete making short work of his counterpart, twice knocking the African down and earning a TKO victory in the 2nd round. With vocal US support in the crowd cheering him, it was a good start for the US team.

The well organized tournament continued in spectacular fashion across all 447 bouts and was noteworthy for being the first in almost thirty years in which headguards were removed. The Medical Report has since shown that the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013 was the safest on record with a concussion rate of just 0.22%. This is down from the 0.64% in Milan in 2009 and 0.63% in Baku in 2011 and bodes well for boxer safety going forward.

We also saw the introduction of the ten-point must scoring system.

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 33

AIBA WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

In the end it was the host nation that dominated the medal table with eight medals, which included four golds. They were closely followed by Cuba, who won two golds and took a total of five medals. Azerbaijan took the third spot (two golds, three medals). Russia was the second European nation, while Italy and Ireland also had good tournaments. Algeria was the top African nation with a silver earned by Mohamed Flissi.

The event also saw the first ever medal at this level for Costa Rica, which was won by Road to Dream boxer David Jimenez Rodriguez (bronze) and the first ever appearance by a boxer from Palestine in the guise of Mohammedalaa Menawi at Light Welterweight (64kg). Menawi took on none other than Yasnier Toledo Lopez from Cuba, and it was probably not the easiest of draws for the Palestinian, as the WSB boxer Yasnier went on to win the silver medal at the tournament. Menawi was unfortunately taking a standing eight count within a few moments.

His coach, perhaps wisely threw in the towel with

34 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

45 seconds remaining in the first round, which the athlete was bitterly disappointed about. The Cuban graciously held the rope for the Palestinian to leave the ring. Though clearly unhappy, he earned the genuine applause of the whole arena; as in boxingloving Kazakhstan, the fans all understood what a monumental step he had made for his country simply by being there as a Palestinian willing and able to get into the ring to compete at the sport’s highest level for the first time.

From an administrative point of view, the event was successful too, with AIBA hosting its first ever full Technical Congress, the WSB Franchise Conference and unveiled its World Boxing Academy as important fringe events. Global media pick-up of the World Championships was excellent and the AIBA website had over a million visitors during the same time period.

All in all it was a successful World Championships, for athletes, AIBA and the sport of boxing. The Kazakhstan Boxing Federation is to be congratulated.

AIBA WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

APB ATHLETES IN STUNNING FORM The AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013 were a huge success, not least for boxers on the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) roster, who came home with a number of medals.

WSB BOXERS DOMINATE Boxers from the WSB collectively had an outstanding few weeks “at the office” at the AIBA World Boxing Championships Almaty 2013 as they took medals home in each of the ten weight categories.

Russia’s Misha Aloian (who also competes for the Russian Boxing Team in the WSB), was in incredible form at Flyweight (52kg) as was Wales’ Andrew Selby in the same category.

Six out of the ten gold medallists, and twenty out of the 40 medallists were WSB boxers, which shows high quality now prevalent in the league.

Jumping to the opposite end of the scales, Italian Heavyweight (91kg) Clemente Russo was at his flamboyant best on his way to the top of the podium, while Super Heavyweight (91+kg) Magomedrasul Medzhidov of Azerbaijan won his final with the only straight knockout of the tournament. He then won the crowd over to a certain degree with a display of wonderful sportsmanship, when he assisted the dazed local boxer Ivan Dychko to walk back to his stool in the corner.

Standout WSB Boxers included Cuba Domadores’ Julio La Cruz who became the Light Heavyweight (81kg) World Champion, Mohamed Flissi of the Algeria Desert Hawks was very impressive in his route to a silver at Light Flyweight (46-49kg) as was Argentinian Heavyweight Yamil Peralta who came home with a bronze medal to add much needed metal into the Argentina Condors set-up.

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 35

AIBA WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

RESULTS LIGHT FLYweight (46-49kg)

WelterWEIGHT (69kg)

ZHAKYPOV Birzhan

KAZ

Gold

YELEUSSINOV Daniyar

KAZ

Gold

FLISSI Mohamed

ALG

Silver

DESPAIGNE DESPAIGNE Arisnoidys CUB

Silver

VEITIA SOTO Yosbany

CUB

Bronze

MARUTJAN Arajik

GER

Bronze

JIMENEZ RODRIGUEZ David

CRC

Bronze

MAESTRE PEREZ Gabriel

VEN

Bronze

Flyweight (52kg)

MiddleWEIGHT (75kg)

ALOIAN Misha

RUS

Gold

ALIMKHANULY Zhanibek

KAZ

Gold

LATIPOV Jasurbek

UZB

Silver

QUIGLEY Jason

IRL

Silver

BUTDEE Chatchai

THA

Bronze

FOWLER Antony

ENG

Bronze

SELBY Andrew

WAL

Bronze

CHEBOTAREV Artem

RUS

Bronze

BantamWEIGHT (56kg)

LIGHT HeavyWEIGHT (81kg)

CHALABIYEV Javid

AZE

Gold

LA CRUZ PERAZA Julio

CUB

Gold

NIKITIN Vladimir

RUS

Silver

NIYAZYMBETOV Adilbek

KAZ

Silver

YERALIYEV Kairat

KAZ

Bronze

WARD Joseph

IRL

Bronze

BUTSENKO Mykola

UKR

Bronze

MAMAZULUNOV Oybek

UZB

Bronze

LightWEIGHT (60kg)

HeavyWEIGHT (91kg)

ALVAREZ ESTRADA Lazaro

CUB

Gold

RUSSO Clemente

ITA

Gold

DONATO CONCEICAO Robson

BRA

Silver

TISHCHENKO Evgeny

RUS

Silver

ABDRAKHMANOV Berik

KAZ

Bronze

MAMMADOV Teymur

AZE

Bronze

VALENTINO Domenico

ITA

Bronze

PERALTA JARA Yamil

ARG

Bronze

LIGHT WelterWEIGHT (64kg)

Super HeavyWEIGHT (91+kg)

AKSHALOV Merey

KAZ

Gold

MEDZHIDOV Magomedrasul

AZE

Gold

TOLEDO LOPEZ Yasnier

CUB

Silver

DYCHKO Ivan

KAZ

Silver

LOPES DOS SANTOS Everton

BRA

Bronze

CAMMARELLE Roberto

ITA

Bronze

URANCHIMEG Munkh-Erdene

MGL

Bronze

PFEIFER Erik

GER

Bronze

36 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

AIBA WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 37

WORLD SERIES OF BOXING

THE SEASON IV SO FAR In one of the most dynamic and exciting starts to any season so far, the WSB Season IV has been enthralling with two very different groups and twelve teams battling it out for a chance to get to the Playoffs.

The main talking point of the season has of course been the inclusion of the new Cuba Domadores team, who have proven to be every bit as exciting as people were hoping they would be. A real rivalry is developing between the Domadores and the defending champions the Astana Arlans Kazakhstan, creating an interesting spectacle for WSB fans, regardless of which team they support.

Group A has widely been viewed as the more open but with two clear favorites in last season’s runners-up the Ukraine Otamans and Season II winners, the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder. Yet the other two playoff slots appear to be completely up for grabs, with four very evenly matched teams (Argentina Condors, Team Germany, Algeria Desert Hawks and USA Knockouts) all scrambling for them.

38 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

Group B by contrast has been labelled the “Group of Death” by the media, thanks to its inclusion of the mighty new Cuban Franchise, the defending Champions Astana Arlans, the WSB bad boys the Azerbaijan Baku Fires, Season III semi-finalists the Mexico Guerreros, and quarter-finalists Hussars Poland, along with an enigmatic Russian Side.

GROUP A OVERVIEW Last year’s runners-up the Ukraine Otamans have been quietly going about their business, and with all the fuss about the Domadores and Arlans, it is easy to overlook the fact that the Ukrainian team has yet to be beaten this year. In fact, they have only lost two bouts. Compare this to last season when the team had lost all but one of their first four matches and some nine bouts. Yet they still went onto the Finals last year, which leaves you wondering what the team is capable of this time round. The Ukrainians are a Franchise to take seriously this year.

WORLD SERIES OF BOXING

Their main rivals for the top spot in Group A are the Dolce & Gabbana Italia Thunder, who currently lie in second place in the table, but who probably boast the most impressive squad in the WSB this year. The Season II champions recruited heavily during the offseason bringing in the likes of double Olympic bronze medallist Patrick Barnes at Light Flyweight and APB boxer Mark Barriga from the Philippines at the same weight category. They also took advantage of the British Lionhearts’ withdrawal from this year’s competition to poach Flyweight world bronze medallist Andrew Selby of Wales and Season III number three ranked Heavyweight (now at Super Heavyweight) Joseph Joyce of England. Perhaps their biggest statement of intent however was the acquisition of former Astana Arlans Super Heavyweight Mihai Nistor, who was one of the most impressive talents to emerge during Season III. To have snatched him from under the watchful eyes of Korchynskyy was a serious feat. The Italians have unsurprisingly enjoyed a good start to the season, winning two out of their three matches so far, losing only to the Ukraine Otamans away.

Elsewhere in the group it is tit for tat with the Argentina Condors going into Christmas in third place but with all three teams behind them with a match in hand. The Algeria Desert Hawks could go past them if they win their next encounter, which will be against the Ukraine at home and thus a tough ask.

The USA Knockouts meanwhile could pull level with the Condors if they can do the same at home against Italy, which will also be demanding. Team Germany however have the chance to go past the Argentinian outfit if they win their home match against them after Christmas.

Despite being open, we can see that Group A is tight at the bottom, but the Condors and the German Eagles will be happiest coming into the break.

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 39

WORLD SERIES OF BOXING

GROUP B OVERVIEW The Cuban Franchise could not have had a brighter start to their WSB experience, after three matches and 15 bouts they were completely unbeaten, having totally bowled over their early opponents: the Guerreros, the Hussars and the Russians. Indeed it was not until the last weekend of the year that the team suffered its first taste of defeat in the WSB. This was at the hands of the Arlans who took two bouts from the Domadores in Almaty. Yet tellingly, Cuba still went onto win the match 3:2 despite being away from home. The result left many fans declaring that Cuba would be the next champions come the spring.

However, the Arlans and their master-tactician coach Sergiy Korchynskyy cannot be written off just yet. There has been a significant change in personal in Astana, with many of the season-winning international “legionnaires” being dropped in favor of the emerging domestic talent that Kazakhstan is producing. A quick glimpse at the results at the recent World Championships, in which Kazakhstan took eight medals from ten weight categories, shows why that is the case. Now with three wins in four and ten points

40 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

from a potential 12, the Arlans have also managed to give opportunities to impressive new debutants such as Heavyweight Vasilii Levit, who has won both of his WSB bouts in his opening season, including a win over the three season veteran Abdulkadir Abdullayev of the Azerbaijan Baku Fires on the way. This utilisation of fresh blood has possibly cost them bouts in places, such as when Zhanibek Azhibay took on Christian “Gato Gordo” Bielma of the Mexico Guerreros and lost. A more senior colleague would probably

WORLD SERIES OF BOXING

have won the bout but by easing young fighters in gradually, Korchynskyy is being smart. The Cubans only have a squad of 21 boxers and all of them are world class. But the Arlans have 20 boxers just in the first three weight classes and over 40 boxers in total.

This means that Korchynskyy has the squad depth to rest his main athletes and groom others for the future.

As fatigue and injuries take their toll on the Cubans as the season progresses, we may see the Arlans game plan beginning to reveal itself.

The Russian Team have been the surprise package of the group, with many of their rivals’ fears proving to be grounded. They have unleashed many of their big name stars for the first time in the WSB with World Champion Misha Aloian being a particularly noteworthy example. Like the Arlans, they may be strategically holding fire for later stages of the competition, but that has not stopped them taking two of their four matches with their only losses coming to the Arlans and Cuba.

The Azerbaijan Baku Fires find themselves in a similar situation, and with the same number of points as the Russians, they are currently holding the last Playoff position. Behind them, the Mexico Guerreros have been struggling this year, but finally got their season underway with a 5-0 home win over the Hussars Poland in Week 4. The Hussars themselves meanwhile have had a disastrous start to the season, having yet to win a single bout. They are a reasonable team, and this poor start has more to do with the quality of their opponents than anything else. What they are gaining however, is a significant amount of experience in the most demanding group the WSB has ever seen. This will bode well for their team’s development in the longer term. Hopefully we will also begin to see some of that famous Polish resilience in the early New Year.

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 41

WORLD SERIES OF BOXING

WSB results & SChedule W

1

2

3

4

5

G

DATE

HOME

SCORE

AWAY

B

15.11.2013

Kazakhstan

4-1

A

15.11.2013

Argentina

B

15.11.2013

B

G

DATE

HOME

SCORE

AWAY

Azerbaijan

B

17.01.2014

Cuba

-

Mexico

1-4

Italy

A

17.01.2014

USA

-

Ukraine

Mexico

0-5

Cuba

B

18.01.2014

Azerbaijan

-

Kazakhstan

16.11.2013

Russia

5-0

Poland

A

18.01.2014

Algeria

-

Germany

A

16.11.2013

Ukraine

4-1

USA

B

18.01.2014

Poland

-

Russia

A

16.11.2013

Germany

5-0

Algeria

A

18.01.2014

Italy

-

Argentina

A

Postponed

Algeria

-

Italy

B

31.01.2014

Ukraine

-

Germany

B

22.11.2013

Poland

0-5

Cuba

B

31.01.2014

Argentina

-

USA

A

22.11.2013

USA

3-2

Argentina

A

31.01.2014

Cuba

-

Poland

B

23.11.2013

Russia

2-3

Kazakhstan

A

31.01.2014

Mexico

-

Azerbaijan

B

23.11.2013

Azerbaijan

5-0

Mexico

B

01.02.2014

Kazakhstan

-

Russia

A

08.03.2014

Germany

-

Mexico

A

01.02.2014

Italy

-

Algeria

B

06.12.2012

Kazakhstan

4-1

Mexico

A

07.02.2014

USA

-

Algeria

A

06.12.2012

Ukraine

5-0

Argentina

B

08.02.2014

Azerbaijan

-

Poland

B

06.12.2012

Poland

0-5

Azerbaijan

A

08.02.2014

Germany

-

Italy

B

06.12.2012

Cuba

5-0

Russia

B

07.02.2014

Mexico

-

Kazakhstan

A

07.12.2012

Algeria

3-2

USA

A

08.02.2014

Argentina

-

Ukraine

A

07.01.2013

Italy

4-1

Germany

B

09.02.2014

Russia

-

Cuba

B

13.12.2013

Kazakhstan

2-3

Cuba

A

21.02.2013

USA

-

Germany

A

13.12.2013

Ukraine

4-1

Italy

B

21.02.2013

Poland

-

Mexico

A

13.12.2013

Argentina

4-1

Algeria

B

22.02.2013

Azerbaijan

-

Russia

B

13.12.2013

Mexico

5-0

Poland

B

21.02.2013

Cuba

-

Kazakhstan

B

14.12.2013

Russia

5-0

Azerbaijan

A

22.02.2013

Algeria

-

Argentina

A

15.02.2014

Germany

-

USA

A

22.02.2013

Italy

-

Ukraine

A

10.01.2014

Germany

5-0

Argentina

B

28.02.2014

Kazakhstan

-

Poland

B

10.01.2014

Poland

1-4

Kazakhstan

A

28.02.2014

Ukraine

-

Algeria

A

10.01.2014

USA

2-3

Italy

B

28.02.2014

Cuba

-

Azerbaijan

B

11.01.2014

Azerbaijan

2-3

Cuba

B

28.02.2014

Mexico

-

Russia

B

11.01.2014

Russia

5-0

Mexico

A

01.03.2014

Argentina

-

Germany

A

11.01.2014

Algeria

1-4

Ukraine

A

01.03.2014

Italy

-

USA

42 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

W

6

7

8

9

10

WORLD SERIES OF BOXING

PLAY-OFFS

C1 C1 C1 C1 C2 C2 C2 C2 C1 C1 C2 C2 C1 C2

QUARTER-FINALS FIRST LEG

QUARTER-FINALS SECOND LEG

SEMI-FINALS FIRST LEG SEMI-FINALS SECOND LEG FINALS

28.03.2014 28.03.2014 28.03.2014 28.03.2014 04.04.214 04.04.214 04.04.214 04.04.214 25.04.214 25.04.214 02.05.2014 02.05.2014 30.05.2014 31.05.2014

C1 = Weight Categories: 46-49kg, 56kg, 64kg, 75kg, 91kg C2 = Weight Categories: 52kg, 60kg, 69kg, 81kg, 91+kg

TEAM RANKINGS (1) #

GROUP A

PTS

#

GROUP B

PTS

1

UKRAINE OTAMANS

12*

1

CUBA DOMADORES

15

2

DOLCE & GABBANA ITALIA THUNDER

8*

2

ASTANA ARLANS KAZAKHSTAN

13

3

TEAM GERMANY

6**

3

RUSSIAN BOXING TEAM

10

4

ARGENTINA CONDORS

4

4

AZERBAIJAN BAKU FIRES

7

5

ALGERIA DESERT HAWKS

2*

5

MEXICO GUERREROS

2

6

USA KNOCKOUTS

1*

6

HUSSARS POLAND

0

(1) After Week 5 * With a match in hand ** With two matches in hand

No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013 | BOXING NEWS AIBA 43

Boxing History 101: Greatest Olympic Moments

Boxing History 101: Greatest Olympic Moments Following a discussion with our followers on Facebook and Twitter, we take a look at the greatest moments of Olympic boxing history: St. Louis 1904 - Boxing makes its Olympic debut Boxing appears for the first time in the third Modern Olympic Games (after Athens 1896 and Paris 1900).

The United States took all seven golds and 18 of the 21 available medals. Then again, only American boxers competed. The discerning among you will have noticed that something is amiss with the mathematics involved with the above statement, and it is because no bronze medals were awarded in three of the categories (due to a shortage of participants). Oliver Kirk however deserves a mention for becoming the only fighter ever to win Olympic titles at different weights in the same Games.

Paris 1924 - Youngest Champion of all time Jackie Fields of the United States was to become the youngest Olympic Champion of all time when he captured the gold medal in the Featherweight category of the 1924 Paris Olympic Games at the age of 16 years, 5 months and 11 days. He looks set to remain so as for safety reasons AIBA subsequently set an age limit of 17 years old for Olympic participation and raised it again to 19 years old as of 2013.

Melbourne 1956 - The first triple gold medallist Hungarian Southpaw Laszlo Papp became the first man to win three Olympic boxing titles. Papp won his first gold at the London 1948 Olympic Games and repeated the feat in Helsinki in 1952 before cementing his place in boxing history in Melbourne. He retired undefeated after communist Hungary blocked his exit visa for a world title challenge. The club of triple gold medallists was later joined by Cuba’s Teofilo Stevenson (1980) and Felix Savon (2000).

44 AIBA BOXING NEWS | No. 11 | JULY - DECEMBER 2013

Rome 1960 - Cassius Clay throws medal away in racism protest Cassius Clay, as the young Muhammad Ali was then known, won Olympic gold at the 1960 Games in Rome aged just 18. He gained a significant amount of respect when after the owner of a whites-only restaurant refused to serve him, Clay reputedly threw his Olympic medal into the Ohio River. Thirty-six years later, after he had lit the flame at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, the IOC awarded him a replacement.

London 2012 - Women’s boxing introduced to the Games For the first time in history, women boxers were given the green light to compete alongside their men counterparts. Nicola Adams of Great Britain was awarded the first ever women’s Olympic gold medal (at Flyweight) when she beat Ren Cancan of China in the finals. She was joined by Katie Taylor (Lightweight) of Ireland and Claressa Shields (Middleweight) of the United States later in the tournament.

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No. 11 | JANUARY - DECEMBER 2013 | Boxing newS aiBa 2

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