Boxing World Olympic qualifier: Josh Kelly into last 16 in Baku

Josh Kelly has made the perfect start to his bid to reach the Olympic Games.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Jun 2016, 17:31 BST
Updated 18th Jun 2016, 18:43 BST
Olympic hopeful boxer Josh KellyOlympic hopeful boxer Josh Kelly
Olympic hopeful boxer Josh Kelly

The Sunderland boxer beat Amin Ghasemi Pour on a unanimous points decision in the World Olympic Qualifying event in Baku this evening.

Kelly, seeded two in the welterweight section in the Azerbaijan capital, will now face Kaupo Arro in the last 16 on Monday night.

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The 22-year-old must finish in the top five to win a place at Rio.

It was not an easy start for the Houghton ABC star in the round of 32.

Ghasemi Pour is a vastly-experienced competitor who represented Iran at the London Olympics.

But Kelly made a confident start in the Crystal Hall by taking the opening round against the 30-year-old on all three judges’ cards.

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It was a pattern which continued, with Kelly controlling the next two sessions against the former China Open bronze medallist.

The European Games bronze medallist will take on Estonia’s Arro who outpointed Costa Rica’s Abraham Mora Calderon.

Related topics:SunderlandIran