It is no doubt one for the historians out there when the question is asked – When was the last time Scotland finished second top in the Medals table of a Russian Tournament?It may come as a surprise to many that the answer is today! Yes this was the incredible performance of Team Scotland in the 2013 Popenchenko Tournament held in Russia, which consisted of the following boxers:
49kg – Aqeel Ahmed
56kg – Stephen Tiffney
60kg – Mark McKeown
64kg – Jason Easton
69kg – Lewis Benson
75kg – Kieran Smith
81kg – Tommy Philbin
From a team of seven boxers, an incredible 5 medals were won over the course of the three day tournament – 1 Bronze (Lewis Benson) 2 Silver (Aqeel Ahmed & Stephen Tiffney) and 2 Gold (Mark McKeown and Kieran Smith). Not forgetting commendable performances by both Tommy Philbin and Jason Easton.
The final medal table was as follows:
RUSSIA 30 Entries, 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 15 Bronze
SCOTLAND 7 Entries, 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
BELARUS 5 Entries, 2 Gold, 0 Silver, 1 Bronze
WALES 4 Entries, 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
UKRAINE 4 Entries, 0 Gold, 2 Silver, 0 Bronze
TURKMENISTAN 2 Entries, 0 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze
CHINA 3 Entries, 0 Gold, 0 Silver, 3 Bronze
A huge congratulations, on what is a fantastic achievement, must go to all the boxers, coaches (Mike Keane & Raymond Gibson) along with Team Manager John McGuire and Norman Watt, who was officiating at the event
Reports from all the finals can be read below:
49kg – Aqeel Ahmed (Sco) v Ashley Williams (Wal)
Round 1 – There was a fast start to this contest by both boxers, both demonstrating excellent offensive and defensive boxing with Williams always coming forward throwing lefts and rights. This in turn saw Aqeel countering these especially with some superb left hooks. The big question at the end of the round was, could they maintain this incessant pace.
Round 2 – again a very fast start by both boxers which saw Williams try to up his work rate if this was at all possible. Aqeel was up to the task however, and matched the Welshman’s pace although boxing on the back foot he was also landing good quality punches of his own.
Round 3 – another fast and furious round of boxing which saw some great exchanges from both boxers. However, it was Williams who gained the upper hand in the second half of the round with an incredible tempo that would take him on to victory!
Final Result: Wales win 3-0
Aqeel can rightly feel proud of his achievements in winning a Silver medal for Scotland against a boxer who not only won the Gold but who also won the tournaments ‘Best Boxer’ award.
52kg – Stephen Tiffany v Akmalzhon Ormanov (Rus)
Round 1 saw a better start to the round by the southpaw Ormanov which saw him landing some quality right hooks. Tiff then got going himself but the Russian was ahead at the end of the first.
Round 2 saw a great response from Tiff who imposed himself on his opponent from the first bell land with combinations to the head and body which forced the Russian back. Ormanov came back into it later in the round but it was he who looked tired at the bell.
Round 3 – this round was a more evenly contested affair which saw the attacks ebb and flow from one to another. Unfortunately by the final bell it was the Russian who seemed to land the more telling shots which got him the nod from the judges.
Final Result: Russia win 3-0
Another great performance from a Scottish boxer who again can feel rightly proud of his achievements in this tournament.
60kg – Mark McKeown v Zufar Saparbaev (Rus)
Round 1 – Brilliant opening round by Mark who took the fight to the Russian from the opening bell catching him with some wicked right hooks to the head and body. A great start!
Round 2 – Same as the opening round this round saw Mark settle down and box at his pace again still troubling his opponent with back hand punches and hooks.
Round 3 – Again this saw Mark set the pace of the round then after a minute of the third round BOOM! Mark detonated an awesome straight right hand which sent Saparbaev crashing to the floor and just making it to his feet by the count of eight. Saparbaev was looking unsteady but Mark didn’t rush in but took his time and waited to pick the right punch, he didn’t have long to wait and 30 seconds later he caught the Russian with another devastating right that sent him down again, this time the referee had seen enough and counted out the Russian.
Final Result: Scotland win TKO1 (or knockout to the oldies!)
This was a brilliant display from Mark who boxed superbly in both his bouts and was a contender for the Best Boxer award again he can be rightly proud of himself on what is a fantastic achievement.
75kg – Kieran Smith (Sco) v Maxim Koptyakov
Round 1 – Very cagey first round with the Russian not looking to comfortable with Kieran’s southpaw stance. He only landed a few clean shots landed throughout the round but Kieran got the upper hand towards the end of the round.
Round 2 – The Russian’s tactic now seemed to be left, right then grab which at first began to frustrate Kieran who looked to box the Russian at distance. This actually worked against the Russian as Kieran got to work inside and had the measure of the 32yr old Russian by the end of the round.
Round 3 – Right from the start of the round the Russian was looking to upset Kieran by holding and throwing him which got him a ticking off from the referee. Again most of Kieran’s long range work was negated by the Russian’s spoiling tactics which only served to make Kieran work on the inside and catching Kopyyakov with right hooks on the way out. This was not the prettiest of contests but Kieran did enough to get the decision on all three judges cards.
Final Result: Scotland win 3-0
A great result for Kieran against a far more experienced opponent who seemed prepared to spoil his way to a gold medal, Kieran showed great restraint and was able to adapt to the Russian’s tactics to get himself a well earned gold medal.
