Apb Booklet 2015 +Schedule
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THE REVOLUTION The world revolution in boxing is here! The AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) brings to the world the pinnacle of pro boxing, with unparalleled transparency in professional boxing. Managed by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), APB showcases 120 of the world’s top-ranked boxers, chosen out of the millions of AIBA boxers from all four corners of the world, competing in 10 weight classes. APB boxers square-off in 8 x 3 minute rounds and compete not only for the title of APB Champion, but also for a chance to qualify automatically for a spot in the Olympic Games. APB is the very pinnacle of pro boxing, the dawn of a new era. THE BIRTH OF APB AIBA is the sole worldwide governing body for boxing. It brings together 196 nations on five continents to promote the sport of boxing. Its mission is to develop and govern boxing in all of its forms, from grassroots bouts through to elite competitions such as World Championships and Olympic Games – and then on to semi-pro and pro boxing. The AIBA President, Dr Ching Kuo Wu, on his election in 2006, recognized that the future of the sport of boxing stood at a crossroads. Dr Wu set out to create a new, secure and revolutionary pathway for amateur boxers to move up into a professional career. To do this, Dr Wu created the AIBA Pro Boxing. APB is ‘The Revolution’ – giving the world’s very best boxers a stable, transparent professional career and opportunities to earn significant purses. Each APB boxer is guaranteed four fights a year based on a completely transparent ranking system. Best of all, for the first time, APB offers boxers the opportunity to compete professionally while still remaining eligible for the Olympic Games – indeed APB is one of the qualifying tournaments, fully supported and endorsed by the International Olympic Committee. OLYMPIC QUOTAS APB is the only way for professional boxers to qualify for the Olympic Games. In 2015, History was made when APB launched in September 2014, with more than 80 participating 20 boxers (two per weight class) will earn a coveted spot to participate in the Rio 2016 boxers meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan for a Draw Ceremony to kick-off the first-ever APB Olympic Games through APB. Ten of these boxers will be the current Champions from the Cycle. Inaugural APB Cycle and the remaining ten boxers will be their Challengers in the Title Bouts of the Second APB Cycle. Dawn of a New Era: FIRST CHAMPIONS The competition to establish the very first APB Champions was a truly global showcase of pro boxing, with bouts taking place in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Italy, Kazakhstan and Russia. The world’s best boxers hailed from five continents and 35 countries, squaring off in front of passionate crowds in iconic cities such as Rome, Paris, Istanbul and Foshan. APB featured Olympic medalists, AIBA World Champions, World Series of Boxing Title Holders, undefeated professional boxers, savvy veterans and rookie sensations all competing against each another. Crowning of Champions: APB INAUGURAL TITLE BOUTS In January and February 2015, watched by boxing media, fans and fellow fighters all over the world, the Inaugural Title Matches crowned the first APB Champions across 10 weight classes. These Champions, the best in the world in their class, will defend their titles later this year and so automatically qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “The future is finally here for boxing and it is glorious,” says the AIBA President, Dr Ching Kuo Wu. “This is only the beginning and it is exhilarating to see APB being so successful immediately.” Each Title Bout was full of drama, tension, world class athleticism and non- stop excitement, with fans in awe of the skills on display. The boxers represented themselves and their countries with passion and courage. Title Match: LIGHT FLYWEIGHT (49KG) Bin Lv from China started his APB career by defeating Birzham Zhakipov from Kazakhstan in a close match. In Week 2, Lv earned his second win against his compatriot and future Champion: BIN LV(CHN) runner-up, Zhonglin Wu, a contest which was held in a highly charged atmosphere in Hong Kong. The Champion is 24 years old and hails from China. He went 4-0 in the Inaugural APB Cycle and prior to fighting in APB, he had won a bronze medal at the Asian Boxing Lv secured his ticket for the Title Bout after a thrilling win over Filipino star Mark Barriga Championships in 2011, as well as the gold medal at the AIBA Youth World Boxing (2:1) and then became the first-ever APB Light Flyweight Champion by defeating Championships Yerevan 2012. Zhonglin Wu again (73:79/ 74:78/ 73:79) in another spirited match. Title Match: FLYWEIGHT (52KG) Mikhail Aloian from Russia showed tremendous skill during his thrilling route to the Title. He won all of his bouts by unanimous decision defeating Vincenzo Picardi from Italy, Aleksandar Aleksandrov from Bulgaria and Mohamed Flissi from Algeria Champion: MIKHAIL ALOIAN (RUS) in a walkover. Aloian is a southpaw and one of the most decorated boxers in APB. Prior to putting his skills on display in this competition, he won gold in the AIBA World Boxing Championships In the Inaugural Title Bout, Aloian controlled the fight expertly throughout, against Baku 2011 and Almaty 2013, as well as a bronze medal in the London 2012 Olympic Mexico’s exciting WSB veteran Elias Emigdio. Aloian went on to claim the APB Belt Games and a gold medal in the European Boxing Championships held in Moscow in in front of many proud and supportive home fans in Novosibirsk. 2010. Title Match: BANTAMWEIGHT (56KG) Khedafi Djelkhir from France, one of the most experienced fighters in APB, stamped his mark on the 1st APB Cycle by becoming the first-ever Bantamweight Champion. He began his APB journey with a masterful points win over Venezuela’s Yonni Blanco and locked-in a Title Match appearance with a dominant performance Champion: KHEDAFI DJELKHIR (FRA) over Brazil’s Robenilson Vieira De Jesus. In a one-of-a-kind match against Alberto From France, 31 years old Djelkhir is perhaps the most well rounded APB competitor, with a Melian from Argentina, Djelkhir fought with incredible passion, ultimately professional boxing record of 16-0, a silver medal from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, emerging victorious against an well-respected opponent, to the delight of his as well as experience in the World Series of Boxing. home Parisian fans. Title Match: LIGHTWEIGHT (60KG) Berik Abdrakhmanov from Kazakhstan was amongst the strongest APB Inaugural Champions and emerged victorious against Hurshid Tojibaev from Uzbekistan Champion: BERIK ABDRAKHMANOV (KAZ) in front of a noisy crowd in Russia to become the first-ever Lightweight APB Abdrakhmanov is originally from Kazakhstan and at only 28 years old, he has amassed Champion. Abdrakhmanov debuted in APB with victory in a close match an incredibly solid list of accomplishments. He won the gold medal in a tough field during against David Joyce from Ireland before showing off every facet of his skill and the Asian Boxing Championships in 2013, as well as a brilliant bronze medal in the AIBA ability with a win against Filipino Charly Suarez. World Boxing Championships held in that same year in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Title Match: Champion: ARMEN ZAKARYAN (RUS) LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT (64KG) Hailing from Russia, Zakaryan won gold medals in the European Boxing Championships in Armen Zakaryan from Russia had thrilling start in APB that culminated in 2013 and the Russian National Championships in 2012. At 25 years old, the potential is him claiming the Light Welterweight APB Championships. He dominated the immense for Zakaryan who is looking unbeatable at Light Welterweight. weight class, not dropping a round in his opening two fights, before ultimately defeating Artem Harutyunyan from Germany for the second time in the Inaugural Title Match. Title Match: Champion: ONUR SIPAL (TUR) WELTERWEIGHT (69KG) Sipal is just 25 years old and has the capability to excel in APB for many years to come. Onur Sipal from Turkey claimed two exciting wins over the Kenyan star Rayton Okwiri to become Previously the World University Boxing Champion silver medalist, Sipal reached the APB Welterweight Champion, and a second Title Holder from Turkey. On his route to winning Quarter-Finals of the AIBA World Boxing Championships Chicago 2007 aged just 18, as the Belt, Sipal showcased his extraordinary skills in defeating Gyula Kate from Hungary and well as competing at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Eimantas Stanionis from Lithuania. Title Match: MIDDLEWEIGHT (75KG) Champion: ADEM KILICCI (TUR) Adem Kilicci from Turkey has been perhaps the best fighter in APB so far, displaying At 28 years old, Kilicci has not yet reached his prime in boxing and passionately supported tremendous skill and talent in the 75 kg category. His journey culminated with by his home fans in Turkey will be tough to beat in the coming Cycles. In addition to being him winning the APB Middleweight Title during a highly emotional night in the first-ever APB Middleweight Champion, he won a bronze medal at the the AIBA World Istanbul. He twice beat the highly rated Artem Chebotarev from Russia in APB Boxing Championships Chicago 2007 and gold at the Mediterranean Games in 2013. and also won against Nickson Abaka from Kenya and Hosam Abdin from Egypt. Champion: EHSAN ROUZBAHANI (IRI) Rouzbahani is 26 years old and an Olympian from the London 2012 Olympic Games. At the AIBA World Boxing Championships Baku 2011, he beat three fighters including Joe Ward from Ireland, as well as the two world class boxers he could once again meet in APB.