Following success for light flyweight Joahnys Argilagos and middleweight Arlen Lopez yesterday evening, lightweight Alvarez made it a hat-trick of Cuban wins thanks to a technical knockout victory against Azerbaijan’s Albert Selimov.

With the Azeri struggling to get close enough to threaten, he was cut at the end of the second round, leaving the referee no choice but to stop the fight and grant Alvarez his third world crown.

Irish light heavyweight Joseph Ward presented La Cruz with the biggest test of his campaign so far, but the 2015 AIBA boxer of the year looked focused on a third successive title from the outset. 

Ward’s late rally wasn't enough after La Cruz had taken the first two rounds, and the Cuban captain, who looked every bit the champion throughout the tournament, retained the gold in style. 

It wasn’t a perfect evening for Cuba however as flyweight Yosbany Veitia lost out to Baku 2015 European Games gold medallist Elvin Mamishzada of Azerbaijan by unanimous decision.

Both fighters displayed similar game-plans early on, but it was Mamishzada's patient tactics that paid off, choosing his moments well to counter and ultimately taking the title. 

In the welterweight final, Morocco's newly-crowned World Series of Boxing fighter of the year Mohammed Rabii out-fought defending champion Daniyar Yeleussinov from the centre of the ring.

The Kazakh star tried desperately to launch his usual aggressive attacks, but with him struggling to hit the target, Rabii was able to earn his country its first-ever AIBA world title.

"This is amazing for me and my country," said Rabii.

"My supporters are incredible, and they definitely helped me reach my goal in the ring.

"I’m a world champion, and I’m so, so, so proud.

"I love my country, and I love my supporters.

"This is for them."

There was further disappointment for Kazakhstan in the super heavyweight final as Ivan Dychko suffered defeat at the hands of Frenchman Tony Yoka.

Looking to go one better than his silver medal in Almaty two years ago, Dychko was unable to raise his energy levels and prevent Yoka from becoming France’s first world champion since Willy Blain in 2003.

Earlier in the session, the lightweight box-off between Uzbekistan’s Elnur Abduraimov and Brazil’s Robson Donato Conceicao for a place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games saw the former triumph.

Meanwhile, Chinese welterweight Wei Liu was awarded a walkover victory with Azerbaijan’s Parviz Baghirov unable to compete due to medical reasons.

Ukrainian boxing legends Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, current and former world champions respectively, were among the crowd this evening and presented the light heavyweight medals.

Reflecting on the World Championships, Yousuf Ali Al-Kazim, President of Qatar Boxing Federation and executive director of the Local Organising Committee, said: "This has been a defining moment for boxing in Qatar, and a clear statement of how important the sport is for the people. 

"AIBA have said that these days of incredible sporting action have set a new benchmark for the World Championships, while the athletes have said that they have never experienced better facilities or a better organised event.

"That is testament to our commitment and ambition of making these World Championships the best ever, and it is our sincere hope that athletes, coaches and officials will leave Doha with fond memories."

The next edition of the World Championships is scheduled to take place in Hamburg, two years from now. 



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