#APB2015 Nikita Ivanov secures vital Light Heavyweight victory over Abdelhafid Benchabla
28 June 2015
APB 2015
The final two Light Heavyweight (81 kg) matches of AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Cycle I Round 1 took place on Saturday night at Palazzetto dello Sport, Manerba del Garda, Italy, and Russian fans of APB will be delighted after fifth ranked 2013 European Champion Nikita Ivanov (RUS) defeated 28-year-old Abdelhafid Benchabla (ALG) by split decision.
Both boxers carry power, and there was heavy shots galore from the opening seconds of the bout, as each man looked to gain supremacy in the early stages.
Benchabla won the first round with accurate combination punching, before Ivanov made his way back into the bout by using flurries of his own.
The Russian star proceeded to dominate the next three rounds of the intense contest, and sent his Algerian opponent down to the canvas in round four after a brutal right hand.
Signifying his undoubted toughness, Benchabla did not wilt despite the immense pressure he was facing, and he changed his tactics to some success.
Gone was his in-fighting of the first half of the event, and he began to use his jab and reach to deflect the power punches he was constantly threatened with.
Despite the late rally, Ivanov kept busy which ensured he was not overwhelmed by the desperate onslaught of Benchabla.
At the close of the fight, it was the Russian whose work the judges narrowly preferred as he won the bout 78:74, while Benchabla was favoured 77-75 according to the third judge.
Ivanov will now meet Serge Michel (GER) in Cycle I Round 2 after the German star defeated Oybek Mamazulunov (UZB) in Italy.
Michel won the first three rounds of their contest, before Mamazulunov was forced to pull out due to a hand injury.
Match Resuls:
- Nikita IVANOV (RUS) W.P. (78:74/75:77/78:74) vs Abdelhafid BENCHABLA (ALG)
- Serge MICHEL (GER) TKO R4 vs Oybek MAMAZULUNOV (UZB)
