By Gary Anderson

October 18 - Merey Akshalov (red) ensured home fans were smiling with his win over Josh Taylor in AlmatyThe crowd inside the Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sport in Almaty played their part in ensuring that Kazakhstan's Merey Akshalov punched his way to victory against Scotland's Josh Taylor of Scotland in a pulsating light welterweight contest at the World Boxing Championships.


Despite loud and vociferous support for the home boxer, Taylor remained concentrated and composed throughout the nine minutes of action and with his southpaw style he landed a number of telling jabs on his opponent.

But Akshalov showed that he was not solely relying on the advantage of fighting in front of a home crowd as he displayed some high quality pugilistic work, connecting with some sweet shots and proving an elusive target for Taylor, who eventually lost out in a close contest.

By contrast Russia's Armen Zakaryan comfortably overcame the challenge of Hungary's Andras Vadasz by three rounds to nil in their light welterweight clash, while Algeria's Abdelkader Chadi also looked impressive in his bout against the tricky Yauheni Dauhaliavets of Belarus to advance to the next stage.

"I was happy with that," said Chadi afterwards.

"I was out against a boxer who was very strong and physically well prepared.

"Fortunately, I managed to pull through."

Algeria's Abdelkader Chadi (red) proved too good for Yauheni Dauhaliavets of BelarusAlgeria's Abdelkader Chadi (red) proved too good for Yauheni Dauhaliavets of Belarus
























Canada's Yves Ulysse caused the first of two upsets for Mexico as he landed some prime punches while bobbing and weaving to avoid the counters of Juan Romero, signalling his growing stature as a force to be reckoned with in the division.

"I feel good," said Ulysse.

"I stepped up my game because that was a brutal match.

"It was a spicy fight with a good opponent who has helped me improve for my next fight."

Perhaps the most impressive performance of the day came from Tajikistan's rising star Shahriyor Akhmedov as he outclassed the much more experienced Vincenzo Picardi in the flyweight division.

After impressing on day one, the Tajikistani carried on his form here in Almaty by proving too strong, too agile and ultimately too good for the Italian veteran, and must now surely be considered among the favourites to take gold in the division.

Shahriyor Akhmedov of Tajikistan (blue) confirmed his status as a rsing star by defeating Italy's Vincenzo PicardiShahriyor Akhmedov of Tajikistan (blue) confirmed his status as a rising star by defeating Italy's Vincenzo Picardi


























One man who might have other ideas though is Ireland's Paddy Barnes, who overcame Serbian Milos Baltic to set up a clash with Kenya's Simon Nzioki in the next round.

The double Olympic bronze medallist showed his class and experience to out-box his talented younger opponent and revealed afterwards that he is still getting used to the idea of competing without the traditional head guard.

"I felt strong and I think it came down to skill in the end," said the man from Belfast.

"It felt strange though as that was the first time ever I've fought without a head guard.

"I had a nose injury we had to protect so we left it on for sparring too.

"I need to get a few rounds under my belt now so that I am used to it."

Despite a tough encounter with American Malik Jackson, which saw him ship a few big hits, Andrew Selby of Wales also made it through to the next stage of the flyweight competition by out-pointing his opponent, but admitted afterwards that he needs to up his game if he has any designs on a podium place.

"It didn't go too well," said Selby.

"I had to wait a while before I could box as I had a bye in the first round, so there was a bit of rust there."

The second major Mexican upset of the day came as Chatchai Butdee of Thailand came out on the right side of a thrilling contest to end the medal chances of the much-fancied Elias Emigdio.

Cuba's Erislandy Savon celebrates his TKO win over Jinho Heo of Cuba inside 30 secondsCuba's Erislandy Savon celebrates his TKO win over Jinho Heo of Cuba inside 30 seconds

























Meanwhile, in the heavyweight division, there was an explosive start and finish to the bout between Erislandy Savon of Cuba and Korean Jinho Heo.

Barely 30 seconds into the contest, the big Cuban wound-up a humdinger of a left hook to send his opponent crashing to the canvas and it was lights out as Heo could not beat the count.

"I feel good about going into the next one without having wasted any energy," said Savon.

It was not as straight forward as that for Italy's Clemente Russo in his heavyweight battle with Levan Guledani of Georgia, as the young pretender made the former world champion and double Olympic silver medallist earn his victory in a really good contest between the pair.

"It was difficult," said the Italian veteran after.

"I always find the first one difficult.

"I've been here for seven days and all I can think about is the first fight, so there is lots of pressure."

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