Michael Conlan survived a third round knockdown to claim the bantamweight gold medal at the World Boxing Championships, becoming the first Irish man to win a world title.
Conlan did just about enough against Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan, but there will have been plenty of hearts in mouths at the at the Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiya Arena as a perfectly timed Akhmadaliev blow sent Conlan crashing to the canvas late in the third round. But the Belfast fighter held on to take the title on points, joining Katie Taylor as Ireland’s only world champions.
Akhmadaliev made the busier start, crowding Conlan from the opening bell and opening up with quickfire flurries of punches. But Conlan soon found his range, hurting his opponent with punishing body shots and despite shipping some heavy blows himself when he opted to stand and trade, two of the three judges had him ahead at the end of the round.
The second round saw a more measured approach from the Irish fighter, picking off Akhmadaliev as he flagged while continuing to wear him down with body blows. The Uzbeki did manage the occasional flourish himself but it was another round for Conlan on the judges’ cards.
The third and final round was a more cagey affair, with Conlan visibly flagging, and there was momentary panic when a solid right hand knocked him down with about 30 seconds remaining. But Conlan had already done enough to convince the judges and he went on to claim the gold medal.
Earlier, Michael O'Reilly missed out on a place at the 2016 Olympic Games after losing his third-placed box-off in Doha.
O’Reilly was beaten by Hosam Abdin of Egypt in their middleweight (75kg) contest with Abdin taking the first two rounds on the judges’ scorecards before fighting back to take the third.
O’Reilly clearly disagreed with the decision, greeting the announcement with stunned incredulity. Regardless, the result means he will now have to find another route to Rio next summer if he is to fulfil his Olympic dream.
