(NOV 22) Some
‘mouth-watering’ semi-finals to look forward to on Sunday
morning in Jeju, where the 8th AIBA World Championships reach
the ‘business end’ of the tournament.
You can watch all 20 bouts (over two sessions) live, as usual on
AIBA’s own website and ‘You Tube’ Channel.
You will find the day’s full program at the end of this piece
but for now let’s take a brief look at some of those fights that
are bound to be rather special. In the first session, one that
looks rather special is the 45-48kg Light Fly battle between
Indian’s rising new star, Shamjetsabam Sarjubala and Thailand’s
Chuthamat Raksat.
To many shrewd observers, the young Indian is a natural
successor to the great Mary Kom. We feel sure that Mary will
have something to say about that when she returns from injury,
but for now one can say with certainty that this is another
potentially great Indian champion.
China’s 24 yrs old Asian Games champion, Junhua Yin will attempt
to dethrone Ireland’s Katie Taylor at 60kg Lightweight. Taylor
is hoping to reach Monday’s final and a fifth in a row record
equalling AIBA world crown but as the AIBA’s daily report of
yesterday suggested, the Chinese camp see their boxer as a real
Gold medal prospect.
Irish coach Zuar Antia, a six time champion of Georgia, is one
of the brains behind Taylor’s many successes, something Katie is
the first to acknowledge.
Antia says :“We have a plan A, we have a plan B, we even have a
plan C.”
“Katie is a very experienced boxer. She has very good skills,
has many tactical good things. I’m sure we will find the key
against this girl.”
As for the champion herself she was ‘very disappointed’ to miss
out on that Ochigava bout but immediately turned her thoughts to
the meeting with the Chinese southpaw.
"I was ready to fight today and I was all geared up for it. I
love those big fights. I'm sure a lot of people are
disappointed," she said. "I just have to focus on the next
fight. The moving southpaws, they're me favourite! It is going
to be a tough fight. There are no easy fights at this stage of
the competition anyway."
Estelle Mossely - French Champion
The winner of that bout will meet either French champion,
Estelle Mossely or Azerbaijan’s champion Yana Allekseevna on
Monday.
Marlen Esparza of the United States in search of another World
crown meets the ever improving Brazilian, Clelia Marques da
Costa at 51kg whilst in an all European battle Italy’s Terry
Gordini comes up against 29 yrs old English woman Lisa
Whiteside. The English challenger, replacing the injured, Nicola
Adams had this to say after her quarter-final win:
“I am really pleased with how it has gone so far and am so
grateful to the coaches in believing in me and all the support
from back home, especially my family. I am going to enjoy my day
off tomorrow with the great team around me and then get myself
back to business to in order to change the colour of my medal.”
The vastly improved Sandy Ryan from Derby’s One Nation club is
also looking forward to her 64kg semi-final against Thailand’s
Sudaporn Seesondee.
Sandy Ryan, 21, said: “I am feeling amazing. I know a lot of
people thought that I was maybe coming here just for experience,
but deep down I knew I could do something here. I have left no
stone unturned and have worked so hard for this opportunity. I
can’t wait now to box in the semis and to keep showing everyone
what I am capable of.”
Another of Team USA’s stars, Tiara Brown will be keen to
progress her title challenge, against Philippines Nesthy Peticio
and later in the day a great fight seems in prospect when London
2012 Gold medallist Claressa Shields continues her quest for a
first World title against that tough, battling Canadian Ariane
Fortin. Another ‘must see’ bout whether you are watching the
Live Streaming on aiba.org or via their AIBA ‘You Tube’ channel.
Irish TV channel TG4 is showing live TV coverage of all the main
bouts both on Sunday and Monday commencing 5 a.m (Irish time) on
both days.
For expected times of the bouts involving U.S boxers check out
Julie Goldsticker’s report of yesterday whilst Boxing Canada’s
Facebook info will include estimated time of Ariane Fortin’s
semi-final. If readers in any other country are aware of Live TV
coverage do let us know.
To help your viewing here is Sunday’s program:
http://www.iaba.ie/site3/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/C58D1123.pdf
A reminder of all the results todate:
http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Championships/World_wom_Champs2014.html