ABS is pleased to provide its latest report from the Nikolay Pavlyukov Memorial International Tournament in Anapa, Russia;
Wednesday 20th March (Second session):
56kg Ukasher Farooq SCO v Nikita Kuznetsov RUS
First up for Team Scotland in today’s second session of boxing was Ukasher Farooq, up against another Russian boxer in the shape of Nikita Kuznetsov. Ukasher started the contest extremely well, taking it to his opponent with a neat variety of punches looking to dislodge the tight guard of Kuznetsov. Both boxers were delivering high volumes of punches, each of them looking to land the last eye catching punch of every exchange. At the end of the first round Team Scotland Ukasher expected to have slightly edged the lead, but unfortunately the judges did not agree with the round ending 3 – 4 in favour of Kuznetsov.
The second round was very much a continuation of the first, with Ukasher still matching the high work rate of the Russian. However, as the round progressed, Kuznetsov’s tempo changes started to affect the flow of the less experienced Scotsman. But with true Scottish grit and determination, Ukasher did not wilt under the pressure. Instead, the Scottish Bantamweight decided attack was the best form of defence and would not give up without a fight. Sinking close range hooks around the Russians midriff, Ukasher showed why he deserved to be in the tournament. Score at the end of the second round: 6 – 9 Russia.
Ukasher came out in the final round definitely having gained the respect of his opposite number, as straight away the Russian kept mobile in order to defend his lead. Ukasher had no option but to chase down Kuznetsov, which he did to the best of his ability using sound ring awareness. It wasn’t long however until both boxers clamped on again at close range, where both had found successes throughout the contest. The Scotsman pulled out all the stops in an attempt to claw back the lead secured early on by the Russian, but unfortunately the experienced Kuznetsov boxed wisely to protect his lead until the final bell, in the end his hand being raised with a score of 9 – 15.
Winner: Nikita Kuznetsov RUS
Thursday 21st March (First session):
81kg Paul Burns SCO v Veselin Todorov BUL
Paul Burns was representing Team Scotland in the 81kg category today, against the strong Bulgarian Todorov. The contest started fairly even, with Paul boxing behind the Jab in order to safely close the gap on his opponent. Exchanges were made at long to mid-range, again with both boxers sharing the spoils. Just as the halfway stage in the round was approaching, Todorov caught Paul flush on the bridge on the nose with a rear hand causing it to bleed. The referee stopped the contest and took Paul over to the neutral corner to stem the flow of blood. Deemed fit to continue, the referee gave the command to box on. Without being fazed by the injury, Paul pressed on behind a double jab rear hand combination. Unfortunately however, just as Paul finished his attack, Todorov landed another rear hand on the Scotsman, again triggering a flow of blood and forcing the referee to ask call for the doctor to assess Paul’s nose. As the flow of blood could not be halted and in the interest of safety, the contest was quite rightly halted with the Bulgarian being awarded with the victory. Unlucky for Paul, however he should not be disheartened from the uncontrollable outcome.
Winner: Veselin Todorov BUL RSCI
64kg Vilderey Garsiya CUB v Sam Ball SCO
Team Scotland’s Sam Ball was up next to face the highly rated Cuban Vilderey Garsiya, in a contest which was to get the crowd on the feet from the opening bell. From the off Garsiya displayed the trademark Cuban style and flair, looking to draw Sam in then unleash fast clusters of punches. However, Scotland’s 64kg representative immediately threatened the Cuban’s style by imposing a master class lead hand and drifting in between ranges. Sam’s timing was second to none – by measuring with the lead hand then whipping the rear hand at mid-range Sam was disrupting both his opponent and the Cuban contingent in the crowd. In what was an awe inspiring 3 minutes against a formidable opponent, Sam found himself in lead after the first by 2 – 4.
The contest had caught everyone’s attention going into the second, with Scotland’s new host allies Russia cheering on Sam and Team Scotland. The Cuban came flying out of the blocks, but Sam remained composed and had an answer for what Garsiya was throwing at him. As the round progressed, Sam began to look for the second phase of attack, landing some crisp bent arm punches after his first attack at mid range. Garsiya was now aiming to disrupt Sam by any means possible, trying to dazzle the Scotsman with flashy footwork and fast hands. The closing stages of the round witnessed some ferocious exchanges in the centre of the ring, with both boxers giving their all what was proving to be a classic. Sam had boxed out of his skin again, which was reflected in the scoring as he had maintained his lead at the end of the second with a score of 7 – 8.
The atmosphere was electric going into the last round, with Sam 3 minutes away from the biggest upset in the tournament so far. Garsiya came out on the front foot as expected, now planting his feet to sit down on his shots attempting to overpower Sam. The Scotsman adapted accordingly, circling around the ring in order to create space and nullify the Cubans attempts. Then, as sharp as a tack, Sam switched tactics by moving into mid-range with the Cuban. Touching with the jab then whipping the Rear hand in, the Scotsman’s strategy was now outwitting Garsiya. Tensions were on as knife edge in the dying moments of the bout, with Team Scotland realising a huge upset was only moments away. Sam finished as strong as he had started, not giving the Cuban an inch in any department. Just before the final bell sounded Sam landed another crisp rear hand on the chin of Garsiya – could the Scotsman have put himself in the history books by beating the Cuban No 1 in an elite AIBA tournament. As the referee ushered both boxers over to nominate the winner, silence filled the hall as everyone waited for the result. When the referee lifted Sam’s hand, Team Scotland and our Russian allies jumped for joy as the Scotsman had secured a magnificent victory over the Cuban No 1 – well done Sam Ball!
Winner: Sam Ball SCO
52kg Vilderey Garsiya CUB v Stephen Boyle SCO
Team Scotland’s Stephen Boyle faced another Russian in the 52kg quarter final, knowing that a win would guarantee him a medal in this extremely tough tournament. Realising that a fast positive start is crucial at this level, Stephen did exactly that with fast feet and accurate cluster punching. The Scotsman actually began to overwhelm his Russian opponent, throwing Garsiya off balance with great pattern of movement in the ring. The scoring reflected this at the end of the first round, with Stephen leading the dual 2 – 4.
Garsiya came out in the second like a rocket, trying to pierce Stephens defence with looping bent arm punching. The Russian gained a slight edge at the start of the round with this tactic, but it wasn’t long before the Scotsman swung it back in his favour throwing eye catching combinations to head and body. Stephen was not going to give his opponent an inch, meeting Garsiya in the middle and releasing stinging bent arm punches. As the dying seconds off the round approached, Stephen produced a master class in counter punching, making his opponent miss then making him pay with accurate punches. However, the Russian clearly caught the eye of the judges also with the score at the end of the second round finishing 7 – 8, but still in the Scotsman’s favour.
Stephen went into the third and final round realising he was 3 minutes away from securing a medal in arguably one of the toughest European tournaments in the calendar. The Scotsman could leave nothing to chance, and started fast just like in the first. Buildings on phase after phase of attack, Stephens will to win was extraordinary. As expected the Russian also put his foot to the floor, being cheered on all the way by his home crowd. Both boxers gave there all, much to the delight of the crowd. However, Stephen finished in relentless fashion, looking like he had just started the contest. With a fantastic finish under his belt, Team Scotland anticipated a great win for Stephen over the top Russian boxer. This was confirmed when Stephen’s hand was raised, a much deserved win for the Scotsman with a final score of 9 – 12.
Winner: Stephen Boyle SCO
