Gicharu spot on

Kenyan bantamweight stops China’s Zhang in Guiyang

Bantamweight Benson Gicharu knocked out two-time Asian Games silver medallist Jiawei Zhang through a second round technical decision as the Kenyan got off to a brilliant start in the Aiba Pro Boxing Cycle I Round 1 in Guiyang China over the weekend.

Gicharu now awaits Argentine Alberto Melian in Round II. The Argentine rocked world champion Javid Chalabiyev.

Four excellent contests impressed enthusiastic fans around the world except the home fans who left the gymnasium crestfallen after Zhang lost to Gicharu.

Last year, Melian defeated Gicharu at home in Argentina and their match-up this time round makes up an interesting grudge match for the Kenyan.

Although Chalabiyev won the first round of their contest, Melian recovered well and began to impress from the second frame onwards.

Melian is one of the best boxers to watch in the APB as he has a very exciting style and is also incredibly disciplined.

His sharp jabs and quick movement caused chaos for Chalabiyev who was unable to utilise his own tactics.

Germany’s Hakan Erseker defeated Venezuela’s Yoni Blanco while Sangmyeong Ham outclassed Finland’s Matti Koota in the other bantamweight bouts.

Two of the nights outstanding bouts came in the light flyweight (49 kg) category.

Ecuador’s Carlos Quipo defeated China’s Zhonglin Wu.

This was a second meeting of the two boxers in the APB after the Chinese won their first contest on points, Quipo earned victory in the rematch after making excellent adjustment.

A frenetic pace was set over all eight rounds as each boxer controlled certain parts of the fight, but it was Quipo whose punches were more accurate, and he gained in confidence and swagger as the bout progressed.

Many light flyweight contests often involve a lot of movement, yet in this fight there was plenty of action in the middle of the ring, with the two boxers slugging it out toe-to-toe as they attempted to impress the judges.

Quipo’s left hooks often stopped Zhonglin from producing his own shots at the right time. Despite the adulation from his home crowd, the Chinese fighter could not produce his best work in Guiyang.

After eight rounds of extreme intensity Quipo’s hand was raised with his success sealed. He will now meet current AIBA World Champion Birzhan Zhakypov in Cycle I Round 2 after he defeated Patrick Lourenco for the third time in the APB.