China's Olympic Games winner and two-time AIBA World Champion, 30-year-old Zou Shiming is unbeaten since June 2007 and continued his winning streak against Russia's European Champion David Ayrapetyan. His opponent secured a silver medal at the last edition of the championships but Zou Shiming was too strong for the Russian boxer. The Chinese athlete won the contest 15:8 while Korea's current Asian Champion Shin Jong Hoon triumphed over Mongolia's defending AIBA World Champion Purevdorj Serdamba. Shiming and Shin will now dispute the Light Flyweight final.
Russia's European Champion and No.1 flyweight, Misha Aloyan failed in his semi-final in Milan two years ago. And he now faced the competition's last US boxer, former AIBA World Champion, 24-year-old Rau'shee Warren. Aloyan dominated the first two rounds and led 10:6 but the tough American tried in vain to turn the fight, but the Russian held on to advance.
Reigning European Champion, 22-year-old Andrew Selby of Wales had a two point deficit following a very tactical first round against Uzbekistan's rising star, Strandja Memorial Tournament silver medallist Jasurbek Latipov. The Welshmen had an excellent second led and assured third round to win the contest 21:15, securing his place in the Flyweight final to face Aloyan.
In the Bantamweight category, England's European Champion Luke Campbell fought 22-year-old Beijing Olympian John Joe Nevin, the first Irish boxer in history to earn medals at more than one AIBA World Championships. Nevin defeated his English rival at the 2009 EU Championships in Denmark but on their re-match in Baku, Campbell reversed a one point deficit to be awarded the win after the judges scored the bout 12:12.
Tajikistan's Current Asian Champion and Beijing Olympic Games quarter-finalist Anvar Yunusov had his route to the Bantamweight final blocked by Lazaro Alvarez. The Cuban rising star was imperious in his 18:13 victory. Alvarez will now face Campbell for the gold medal.
Titleholders met in the Lightweight category semi-final, with Ukraine's living legend, Beijing Olympic Games winner and AIBA World Champion Vasyl Lomachenko pitted against Italy's Domenico Valentino, also a defending World Champion. The experienced Italian used his reach to lead 4:3 after round one but the Ukrainian superstar then smashed his way to a resounding 17:11 win. Lomachenko's next opponent will be Cuba's Yasnier Toledo who triumphed over Kazakhstan's Gani Zhailauov 21:9 in what was a virtuoso performance.
Ukraine's European Cup winner and University World Champion Denys Berinchyk moved up a weight class to Light Welter after his dominance in the Lightweight division. His semi-final opponent was England's two-time European Championships silver medallist Thomas Stalker. The Ukrainian rising star was unstoppable as he won each of the rounds, will now meet Everton Lopes who became the first Brazilian boxer in the history of the AIBA World Men's Elite Championships to advance to a final.
Kazakhstan's two-time AIBA World Champion and current Asian Games winner Serik Sapiyev has got the opportunity of securing his third title on Saturday, following his quick victory over Lithuania's AIBA 'Road to Baku' member Egidijus Kavaliauskas. Spaiyev overwhelmed his European rival in the first round and the Lithuanian corner threw in the towel in this one-sided Welterweight semi-final. Sapiyev can expect a great battle in the final against Ukraine's Taras Shelestyuk, who eliminated India's Asian Games winner and AIBA Youth World Champion Vikas Krishan Yadav.
Ukraine's European Cup winner 23-year-old Ievgen Khytrov is famous for his extreme power and he showcased just why he is so highly regarded by battering Romania's Bogdan Juratoni, who had achieved a career highlight in Baku. The referee stopped the contest in the second round with Khytrov leading 14:9. The Ukrainian hard-hitter will now contest the Middleweight final with Japan's Ryota Murata.
Russia's reigning AIBA World Champion and two-time European Champion, 27-year-old Egor Mekhontsev failed in his title-defence in Baku. The Russian star went down a weight class but was defeated by Cuba's team captain Julio Cesar De La Cruz 21:15. The Cuban will now meet Kazakhstan's former Asian Junior Champion Adilbek Niyazymbetov who triumphed over Uzbekistan's AIBA World Championships silver medallist Elshod Rasulov.
Ukraine's heavyweight, European Champion Oleksandr Usyk advanced to the final after beating Belarus' European Championships silver medallist Siarhei Karneyeu 23:10.
Azerbaijan's European Champion Teymur Mammadov was the youngest member of the semi-final line-up and stopped China's Asian Championships silver medallist Wang Xuanxuan. Talented Heavyweight Mammadov dispatched his opponent with the Chinese's corner throwing in the towel in the second round.
In the Super Heavyweight category, Kazakhstan's 21-year-old Asian Games silver medallist Ivan Dychko was vanquished by Azerbaijan's WSB Individual Championships silver medallist Magomedrasul Medzhidov. The taller Dychko was completely dominated by Medzhidov who won their bout 16:9. The local boxer will meet England's impressive Anthony Joshua who stopped Germany's Erik Pfeiffer with the German's eyebrow severely cut.
Ukraine made it a day to remember for their nation, with all five fighters competing in the semis victorious.
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