Kazakhstani boxer Berik Abdrakhmanov has won the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Inaugural Title, an ultimate ticket to the Rio Olympics, in a fight against Uzbek boxer Hurshid Tojibaev in Astana, Kazakhstan, Tengrinews reports citing Vesti.kz.
In the lightweight category (-60 kg) of the intense 8-round fight, uncompromising Abdrakhmanov won Tojibaev 77:75, 77:75, 78:74 by a unanimous decision of the judges. The bronze medalist of the 2013 AIBA World Championship will now represent Kazakhstan at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Berik Abdrakhmanov. Photo ©AIBA Pro Boxing 2015
Earlier on December 19 in Novosibirsk, Russia, Ilyas Suleimenov, winner of the London Olympics lost to the Mexican superstar Elias Emigdio in the flyweight category (-52kg). On January 30, Suleimenov brilliantly TKOed the Algerian silver 2013 AIBA World Championship medalist Mohamed Flissi in the 2nd round (0:37).
Meanwhile in Rome, Anton Pinchuk, Kazakhstan’s heavyweight (-91 kg) won Emir Akhmatovic in APB title 1 fight.
AIBA Pro Boxing is a stage competition for the finest boxers selected for the Olympic Games in Rio. Only 2 of 8 boxers competing in 6 or 8 round fights across the globe will get the chance to represent their countries at the Olympics in 2016.
By Gyuzel Kamalova