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BEST BOXER
Several athletes stood out in this category.
At just 20 years old, Uzbekistan’s southpaw Javokhir Ummataliev triumphed over Olympic silver medalist Norbek Oralbay, claiming gold at 80kgs. Kazakhstan also showcased impressive talent with gold medalists Makhud Sabrykhan (55kgs) and Sanzhar Tashkenbay (50kgs).
Our choice is Aibek Oralbay. He faced a challenging path to super-heavyweight gold in Liverpool after reaching the quarter-finals at heavyweight in Paris.
Oralbay endured a fierce last-round assault from Cuban icon Julio Cesar la Cruz to advance to the final, where he absorbed significant punches from Uzbek southpaw Jakhongir Zokirov, eventually securing the win by split decision, propelling his nation to the top of the medal standings.
BEST BOUT
ALEJANDRO CLARO FIZ (Cub) vs SAMET GUMUS (Tur)
Flyweight quarter-final
Every round was intensely contested and of exceptional quality, with judges scoring 3-2. For six minutes, these southpaws exchanged blows at the center of the ring.
As the second round progressed, Gumus appeared to struggle with the pace, retreating at the start of the last round. However, he managed a strong finish that won him the round on two scorecards.
BEST ROUND
ERISLANDY ALVAREZ (Cub) vs ALMAZ OREZBEKOV (Uzb)
Third round of the last-16 bout at 65kgs
The round reached its peak as Alvarez lost a point for holding late in the second, entering the final round with a slim lead on three cards against the young Orezbekov. The last three minutes saw an explosive exchange, with Orezbekov charging from his corner. Alvarez, taking punches and encouraging Orezbekov forward, ultimately won the round unanimously across five scorecards.
BEST PUNCH
MAKHMUD SABYRKHAN (Kaz) vs BASHKIM BAJOKU (Kos)
Last 16 at 55kgs
Sabyrkhan, one of the standout boxers of the championships, delivered a perfectly timed southpaw left that knocked Bajoku out cold as he attempted to strike. The bout ended within 30 seconds as the referee swiftly called it off.
BEST COUNTRY
UZBEKISTAN emerged as the leading nation in men’s amateur boxing.
Following a successful Olympics in Paris where they topped the men’s medal table with five golds, they excelled again with six golds and one silver from ten weight categories in Liverpool.
WOMEN
BEST BOXER
AOIFE O’ROURKE (Ire)
Heading into the World Championships, strong contenders for middleweight gold included reigning World Champion Lina Wang and Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad. O’Rourke triumphed over both, redeeming her silver from the IBA World Championship earlier this year.
The 28-year-old convincingly outclassed Hofstad in the quarter-finals, then dominated Wang in the semi-finals, forcing a count in a one-sided last round. In the final against Busra Isildar, O’Rourke secured a unanimous points victory, adding World gold to her accolades, which include three European Championship golds and participation in last summer’s Paris Olympics.
BEST ROUND
JULIA SZEREMETA (Pol) vs VALERIA ARBOLEDA MENDOZA (Col)
2nd round of 57kgs semi-final
After a subdued first round, Szeremeta, leading on four cards, faced a more aggressive Mendoza in the second round. Despite Mendoza’s advances, Szeremeta’s sharp boxing earned her the round on four scorecards, putting her on the brink of the final.
BEST BOUT
AGATA KACZMARSKA (Pol) vs NUPUR NUPUR (India)
80+kgs final
In an exciting clash, Kaczmarska was the aggressor while Nupur danced around, with the bout hanging in the balance until the final seconds. With time running out, Kaczmarska landed a decisive left hook, stunning Nupur and securing a 3-2 split decision victory for gold.
BEST PUNCH
ALUA BALBIBEKOVA (Kaz) vs XINYU Qi (Chi)
Light-flyweight semi-final
In the second round, while looking to regroup, Balbibekova set a trap for Qi. Turning sharply, she delivered a powerful right hand to Qi’s chin, sending her to the canvas and prompting a count from the referee.
BEST TEAM
KAZAKHSTAN dominated the women’s medal table, securing three golds and two silvers across ten weight categories.
India closely followed with two golds to round out the competition.
