The Azerbaijani boxers were on top form again at the semi-finals of the Baku 2015 test event

Azerbaijan enjoyed another dominant day of the Baku 2015 European Games boxing test event as they set up the chance to win eight gold medals here tomorrow.

The crowd were keen to see what their country has to offer on the boxing stage at the Great Silk Way Elite Boxing Tournament and Azerbaijan’s fighters maintained the level from earlier on in the day with a series of explosive performances.

Kamran Mehdiyev was perhaps the most impressive of those in action today as he produced a blistering exhibition of powerful hitting which proved far too hot for opponent Aitas Toibayev of Kazakhstan to handle in the super heavyweight category.

He will go on to face Uzebkistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov in the final after he edged a sloppy affair against Bulgaria's Petar Belberov in a contest that wlll not live long in the memory.

Mehdiyev’s commanding performance followed a decent opening showing from Elvin Mamishzada, who took victory in the men’s flyweight with a unanimous decision.

Compatriot Elvin Isayev endured a tough bout with Elnur Abduraimov of Uzebekistan but he eventually sealed a hard-fought win thanks to his dogged counter-attacking style.

Isayev’s victory was greeted with a rapturous reception from a crowd who would have been wary of the decision going in favour of the Uzbekistan fighter after an entertaining contest saw both competitors land decent blows.

The home favourite will go on to face Nurbol Kalzhanov of Kazakhstan for gold after he beat Russia’s Viacheslav Shipunov in what proved to be a tense bout.

The crowd at the Crystal Hall were treated to another evening of exciting action as the competition approaches its final stage
The crowd at the Crystal Hall were treated to another evening of exciting action as the competition approaches its final stage ©Baku 2015

One of the most entertaining match-ups of the evening came in the men’s welterweight division as both Madiyar Ashkeyev of Kazakhstan and Turkey’s Onder Sipal traded regular hard-hitting shots.

Both athletes embraced at the end of the bout in a sign of respect for each other’s performance, but it was Sipal who booked his place in the final thanks to a split decision from the judges.

Bulgaria’s Radoslav Pantaleev will also get the chance to fight for gold tomorrow as he ousted Belarusian Siarhel Novikau in the light heavyweight category by virtue of a unanimous decision, although the bout itself was a rather scrappy and tentative affair.

He will meet Cem Karlidga in the final after the Turkish fighter progressed with a walkover as opponent Elshod Rasulov was forced to withdraw from the competition through injury.

The Great Silk Way Elite Boxing tournament is due to come to a close with the finals tomorrow.


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