Olympics 2012 boxing: Kazakhstan`s Sapiyev wins welterweight gold

London: Kazakhstani boxer Serik Sapiyev won gold in the men`s welterweight (69 kg) category Sunday, dominating Britain`s local hero Freddie Evans 17-9 in front of the home crowd.

Evans struggled with Sapiyev`s longer reach throughout the fight, missing with many of his counter-punches as the Kazakhstani fighter picked him off from range. Sapiyev, the world championship silver medallist last year, won the first round 4-2, landing several strong hooks on Evans` head as the European champion failed to counter, and the pattern continued as Sapiyev won the second round 6-3. Sapiyev punished Evans in the third round, landing strong shots to his opponents` head as he won the round 7-4. Ukrainian world No. 1 Taras Shelestyuk and Russia`s Andrey Zamkovoy won bronze Friday after they were defeated in the semi-finals. IANS