THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Apichet tees up revenge against champ

Apichet tees up revenge against champ

Welterweight Apichet Saensit is raring to go against two-time world champion Serik Sapiyep of Kazakhstan after a resounding victory in the preliminary round of the World Amateur Boxing Championships in Azerbaijan yesterday.

Apichet’s impressive 20-11 win over Bulgaria’s Nayden Stoyanov ensured Thailand had four fighters in the second round of the tournament (which also serves as the qualifying event for next year’s London Olympics) with three more boxers yet to enter the ring.
After following his teammates, Kaeo Pongprayoon (who got a first-round bye in the 49kg division), flyweight Chatchai Butdee and Athens Olympic silver medallist Worapoj Petchkum, into the next round, Apichet said his bout against Sapiyep holds no fear.
 “I’m satisfied with the way I boxed today. I was able to throw punches smoothly. I went into the bout looking for a win as I wanted a rematch with Sapiyep, who scored an RSC victory over me in the King’s Cup some years ago.
“The fight will be like a final, because there’s no stronger opponent left in the division. I’m pretty sure it will be close this time. It’s 50-50,” said Apichet.
Earlier, the bantamweight (56kg) division saw Thailand’s Worapoj Petchkoom easily defeat Ayabonga Sonjica (RSA) 16-7.
Asian Games bantamweight silver medallist Zhang Jiawei of China set up a mouth-watering second-round clash with Filipino pugilist Joan Tipon.
Zhang, 22, justified her rating as one of the favourites here by outclassing Iran’s Armin Amjadian in three straight rounds (9-3, 5-4, 4-2) while Tipon was made to work harder in a 13-12 win over Argentina’s Alberto Melian.
Japanese boxer Satoshi Shimizu experienced few problems during his opening-round clash with Mohammad Latifi of Afghanistan, thrashing his rival 18-1. In the second round he will face seventh seed Jahyn Parrinello of Italy, who enjoyed an opening round bye.
Another bantamweight favourite, former junior world championship silver medallist Lazaro Alvarez of Cuba, battled into the second round with an 18-13 win over Robenilson Vieira of Brazil.
In the light-heavyweight category Cuba team skipper Julio La Cruz set out on his road of Olympic redemption with a stunning 25-11 victory over Mikhail Dauhaliavets of Belarus.
The 22-year-old Cuban is aiming to make up for missing out on the 2008 Olympics after he failed to qualify.
Meng Fanlong of China  outclassed Mexico’s Dario Alfaro.

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