Matvel Korobov emerges best

Sandy Brown in Bangkok

Thailand, as expected, walked away with the bulk of medals, including seven gold on the concluding day of the 24th King's Cup amateur boxing championships at The Mall, Ngarmwongwan on Saturday.

However, it was the Russian and Uzbekistan boxers who made sure they too were as much in the limelight as the hosts though their clutch of medals was far inferior.

It was the outstanding performances of their boxers, mostly against the hosts that merited the accolades and honours. In fact, Matvel Korobov did his country proud with an exhibition of scientific yet ruthless boxing to demolish his Thai opponent, Nirun Makpetch, to walk away with the 'Best Boxer' award in the middleweight category and silence the hosts.

What was remarkable about the Russian was his all-round display. He packed power in both gloves, was swift and mixed his punches well to outwit the Thai in the first round. A swift three-punch combination of two rights and a left to the head and middle rocked the Thai, who realised he was up against a high quality boxer.

Korobov again smashed a right cross through the Thai's guard to the face and had his right eye closing while peppering it with forceful jabs and hooks.

By the third round there was little the Thai could do to stop the relentless punches from Korobov that seemed to come from all directions even though he fought gamely.

A wicked right in the 48th second to the Thai's head was enough for the referee to stop the contest and end his misery and save him from further humiliation.

Pakistan's Shoukat Ali used his longer reach and stuck to the basics to overcome Houseini Rohollah of Iran in the heavyweight division. His performance also won him the 'Most Promising Boxer' award.

Thailand, who also walked away with the team honours, having picked up seven golds, four silver and six bronze were rather lucky to have finished with that many golds.

Controversial decisions in the bantamweight and welterweight divisions, where Uzbekistan's Khidirov Bekzod, in the bantam, and Azerbaijan's Ruslan Khairov appeared clear cut winners helped to swell the Thai tally.

Both exhibited great footwork, quick punching while mixing aggression with caution against their opponents who also showed a high amount of talent and skill.

However, what was shocking was the final scores of these two bouts. While the former lost 8-14 to Chotiphat Wongprated, the latter's score read 9-3 in favour of Manon Noonjamnong. The distinctive features of shock, surprise and disgust was enough story material.

While the Uzbekistan coach got down from the ring the minute the result was announced, his boxer Bekzod decided to use another route to step out of the ring even as his opponent Wongprated decided to honour him by stepping on the rope and using his hand to pull the other upwards for his opponent to step out. Bekzod's action received a round of boos.

Boonjamnang did put up a great fight against Ruslan but he was sure he had lost against a better opponent. However, he was taken aback momentarily, before his face lit up as he was announced winner.

Some of the best bouts of the day came in the heavier divisions, where Russia's Tchernych Denis against Iran's Amiri Homayon in the Middle and Uzbekistan's Azimov Nozimian and China's Na Ricu came up with pound for pound fights that brought them standing ovations at the end.

Ricu was simply outstanding and forced Azimov to standing counts on way to earning China's only gold.

Results:
Lightfly: Suban Phannoan (Thai A) beat Juahito Magliqiah (The Philippines) on points (20-2).
Fly: Somjit Jongjorhor (Thai A) beat Worapoj Petchkhum (Thai B) on points (12-6).
Bantam: Chotipat Wongprated (Thai A) beat Khidirov Bekzod (Uzbekistan) on points (14-8).
Feather: Suttisak Samaksamarn (Thai A) beat Parinya Changnguen (Thai D) on points.
Light: Somchai Nakbalee (Thai A) beat Rung Mousom (Thai D) on points (7-3).
Light-welter: Phongsak Reapthounthong (Thai A) beat Manas Boonjamnong (Thai B) on points (10-6).
Welter: Manon Boonjamnong (Thai B) beat Ruslan Khairov (Azerbaijan) on points (9-3). Bronze: Dilbag Singh (India).
Light-middle: Matvel Korobov (Russia) beat Nirun Makpetch (Thai C) (r.s.c.h) in third round.
Middle: Tchernych Denis (Russia) beat Amiri Homayon (Iran) on points (19-9.
Light-heavy: Na Ricu (China) beat Azimov Nozimjan (Uzbekistan) on points (17-7).
Heavy: Shoukat Ali (Pakistan) beat Hoseini Rohollah (Iran) on points (20-2).
Super-heavy: Zokirov Lazizbek (Uzbekistan) beat Muzafar Ishal (Pakistan) on points (12-10. Bronze: Harpal Singh (India).

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