Venky`s Mumbai Fighters lose 1-4 against Astana Arlans

Mumbai: It was not an outing to remember for the Venky`s Mumbai Fighters as they lost 1-4 to Astana Arlans in their last group A match of the World Series Boxing Season 2011-12 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The only win for Fighters came in the Middleweight category as Konstantin Snigour got the better of Astana debutant Rustam Svayev, according to information received here. In the Bantamweight category, Ivan Ilnytskyy, making his debut for Venky`s Mumbai Fighters, showed good resilience in the first round but judges ruled in the favour of Astana boxer Mirzhan Rakhimzhanov. With good foot movements and sharp technique, Ivan took away the second and third rounds, but subsequently lost fourth and fifth rounds despite putting up an impressive show. Mirzhan was declared winner in a split decision 47:48, 48:47, 48:47. All eyes were then set on the Fighters` flamboyant Charly Suarez in the Lightweight category. Coming on the back of a knockout against the Bangkok Elephants in Mumbai, he did start promisingly, putting up a brave fight and making judges split their decision. Eventually, the decision went in favour of the Arlans` Samat Bashenov with 48:47, 45:50, 48:47. The first breakthrough for the Fighters came in the middleweight category, which was between Astana Arlans` Svayev and Snigour. The Fighters` Israeli boxer overpowered Svayev from the very first round and maintained his lead till third round. Though, the fourth round was snatched away by Svayev, Snigour made a comeback in the last round and in split decision, Snigour was declared winner 46:49. 46:49, 48:47. The sole Indian in the match, Rahul Kumar entered the ring in the Light Heavyweight category against Abdelhafid Benchabla. Having nothing to lose, he went all out against Benchabla but could not put him under any kind of pressure. Eventually, Benchabla proved too hot to handle for Rahul and he went down in the third round via a Technical Knock-Out. In the Heavyweight category, Mihail Muntean from Fighters was put up against Arlans` Chouaib Bouloudinats. Muntean injured Bouloudinats, giving him a deep cut above his right eye, which sent him bleeding. But the visiting team`s boxer could not capitalise on the advantage and lost in a unanimous decision of judges 49:46, 50:45, 50:45. Results: Bantamweight: Mirzhan Rakhimzhanov bt Ivan Ilnytskyy 2:1. Lightweight: Samat Bashenov bt Charly Suarez 2:1. Middleweight: Konstantin Snigour (2010 Continental Championship - Quarterfinal) bt Rustam Svayev 2:1. Light Heavyweight: Abdelhafid Benchabla bt Rahul Kumar, TKO. Heavyweight: Chouaib Bouloudinats bt Mihail Muntean 3:0. PTI