The world’s best boxers are poised to show off their skills at the Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Qatar, with not just medals, but the promise of qualification places for the Rio 2016 Olympics up for grabs.
Having arrived through the confederation championships held across the globe in recent weeks, the considerable pool of boxing talent will descend on Doha for the opening ceremony and draw on 6 October. Here are some of the names to look out for.
Joselito Velasquez, Mexico (49 kg)
Mexico’s number one boxer, Joselito Velasquez claimed the Panamerican Games gold both in Guadalajara and Toronto, and the 22-year-old was in top form during the recent WSB and AOB events.
“It was a very complicated tournament in Vargas, Venezuela, to qualify for Doha. The quality of opponents and the importance of the event meant I trained five hours a day, seven days a week for the opportunity to get to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. As always in such preparations we have to raise our physical condition, and I worked on my strong jab. Every opponent in Doha could be a tough one, but I feel I will be strong enough”, said the Mexican number one.
Mohamed Flissi, Algeria (52 kg)
Algeria’s London 2012 Olympian Mohamed Flissi won silver two years ago at the last AIBA World Boxing Championships in Almaty, scoring Africa’s first medal in the event since 2005.
Flissi moved up to the flyweight class last year, and following a strong WSB performance, he has proven his ability at AIBA Pro Boxing just as impressively.
“As a team we are fully motivated following two good tournaments, first in the AFBC African Confederation Boxing Championships and then at the All Africa Games in Brazzaville. I want to perform well in Doha and repeat my Almaty result. I have done a lot of individual work with my coaching staff to improve and try to eliminate any flaws. I feel good within the group, I’m well prepared, and feel ready to box no matter who my opponent,” said the Algerian star.
Vitaliy Dunaytsev, Russia (64 kg)
Russian 23-year-old Vitaliy Dunaytsev achieved success at schoolboy, junior and youth levels, but it took three years among boxing’s elite before he reached the top of the world.
Dunaytsev won gold at the EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria, following two national titles and strong WSB performances, making him a firm favourite for the light welterweight title in Doha.
“I worked to my limits during the preparations, so I hope for the best in Doha. Boxing is the most important thing in my life after my family. We have been training with the Russian team and the schedule is tough, but the plan is to change my sparring partners every day to be better prepared to face any opponent in Doha. Most of the competitors there will be Confederations’ Champions, WSB and APB boxers, so I need to be at my best,” said the Russian favourite Dunaytsev.
Eimantas Stanionis, Lithuania (69 kg)
Lithuania’s Eimantas Stanionis delivered some strong AIBA Pro performances, despite being one of the youngest competitors. The Lithuanian welterweight celebrated his 21st birthday with victory in the EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships in Samokov.
“I trained about 20 hours a week with no let up after my win in Samokov. I tried to work on a few new combinations but nothing special. I had a good training camp in Russia and worked with very good sparring partners as usual. At times I feel great, but the long season gets tiring, though I know that without hard work you won’t get the special results against top opponents. My motivation is to become the world champion, but I know that, after qualification, every opponent is ready and determined to win the gold medal in Doha,” said Stanionis.
Joselito Velasquez.
