SCOTLAND will have two boxers in the Quarter-Finals of the IBA World Youth Championships after Kian Govan claimed victory on Day Six of the competition this afternoon.
The Doon Valley Heavyweight defeated David Polak of the Czech Republic by split decision in their 92kg Round of 16 contest in La Nucia to join Bantamweight Aaron Cullen in the next round.
The big Scot suffered a bloodied nose in the first round, both physically and on the scorecards as all five judges scored it for his opponent.
It was a competitive round in the second, with not much to separate the two Heavyweights, but again the Czech Republic boxer got the edge from three of the five judges.
But after two close rounds Govan took charge in the third round, landing jabs and straight right hands against his shorter opponent throughout.
With Polak looking to make the bout untidy in order to see the final round out, he was given a point deduction from the referee with just 20 seconds remaining.
That proved to be crucial for Govan, as he claimed victory by split decision with scores of 29-27, 29-27, 28-28, 28-28, 28-28.
Unfortunately, Lightweight Isa Akram was unable to join him in the next round as he lost a unanimous decision to Carlos Jamil De Leon Castro.
The 18-year-old Scot had been aiming to avenge his defeat to the Puerto Rican from just six weeks ago, when the pair met in the Final of the Boxam International Youth Tournament, which acted as a warm-up for this competition.
It had been a close split decision that looked like it could have gone Akram’s way last month, but the boxer from the Caribbean Island was a worthy winner this evening with scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28.
Each round was still very competitive, however, and the Scottish southpaw will be able to take away a lot of great experience from the competition.
IBA World Youth Championships Results, Sunday 20th November;
92kg R16 – Kian Govan (SCO) beat David Polak (CZE) via split decision.
60kg R32 – Isa Akram (SCO) lost to Carlos Jamil De Leon Castro (PUR) via unanimous decision.
IBA World Youth Championships Schedule;
Monday 21st November;
54kg R16 – Aaron Cullen (SCO) v Ashish Ashish (IND). Approx 3pm (Session 19B).
92kg R16 – Kian Govan (SCO) v Damar Thomas (ENG). Approx 7pm (Session 20B).
