Irish heavyweight Kiril Afanasev advanced to the last 32 of the World Men’s Elites on a unanimous decision over Austin Aokuso in Russia today.
The Dubliner earned a 30-27,30-27,29-28,29-28,29-28 verdict after a hard-punching and tactical three-rounder against the Australian in Ekaterinburg.
Afansev will now meet Bulgaria’s Radolsav Pantaleev in the last 32 on Sunday.
Earlier today, Antrim’s Kane Tucker was beaten on a unanimous decision by Erkin Adylbek of Kyrgyzstan in the light-heavy class.
Final scores: 30-27,30-27,30-7,29-28,29-27 to Adylbek who advances to the last 32.
Tucker countered well – two big rights in rounds two and three were the pick of his shots – but the pressure tactics and longer reach of the Rio 2016 Olympian and Asian Games bronze medallist proved to be the deciding factors in an up-tempo and open 81kg clash.
Meanwhile, Regan Buckley and Wayne Kelly are the next Irish boxers in action on Thursday versus Indonesia’s Aldoms Suquor and Matthew Alexander of Trinidad & Tobago.
Current European and EU champion Kurt Walker awaits the winner of Wednesday’s bout between France’s Samuel Kistohurry and Columbia’s David Avila in the featherweight class in the last 32 on Sunday.
2019 World Elite Men’s Championships Ekaterinburg, Russia
September 10
Last 64
81kg Kane Tucker (Ireland) lost to Erkin Adylbek (Kyrgyzstan) 0-5
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat Austin Aokuso (Australia) 5-0
September 12
Last 64
52kg Regan Buckley (Ireland) v Aldoms Suquor (Indonesia)
63kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v Matthew Alexander (Trinidad & Tobago)
September 13
Last 64
69kg Aidan Walsh (Ireland) v Miroslav Kapuler (Israel)
September 14
Last 32
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Vytautas Balsys (Lithuania)
September 15
Last 32
57kg Kurt Walker v Samuel Kistohurry (France) or David Avila (Columbia)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) v Radoslav Panaleev (Bulgaria)
Results
September 10
Last 64
81kg Kane Tucker (Ireland) lost to Erkin Adylbek (Kyrgyzstan) 0-5
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat Austin Aokuso (Australia) 5-0
September 9
Last 64
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) beat Andre1 Vreme (Moldova) 5-0
Irish squad
52kg: Regan Buckley (St Teresa’s)
57kg: Kurt Walker (Canal)
63kg: Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg: Aidan Walsh (Monkstown)
75kg: Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg: Kane Tucker (Emerald)
91kg: Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield)
High-Performnce Director: Bernard Dunne
Head coach: Zaur Antia
Coaches: John Conlan and Eoin Pluck
(B)