Russians rule the roost at IBA Boxing World Championships in Dubai

The final contests of the IBA 2025 Boxing World Championships in Dubai closed with the same kind of thrills and spills that lit up the tournament across the past week.

Under the searing lights of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the 2025 IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships showcased 13 gold medal bouts, including a single stoppage, during a two-week extravaganza that featured $8.32 million in prize money.

Russia dominated the medal table, claiming seven golds, five silvers, and a bronze to secure overall champion status. Kazakhstan followed with three golds, one silver, and two bronzes, taking second place, while Uzbekistan rounded out the top three with two golds, four silvers, and three bronzes.

In a thrilling youth-versus-experience showdown at 48kg, Azerbaijan’s Subhan Mamedov emerged victorious, claiming gold with a narrow 4–3 decision over Russia’s Edmond Khudoian.

Khudoian sought to overwhelm the youngster with frenzied bursts from both stances, unsettling Mamedov in the first round and earning a 3–2 split on the cards. Undeterred, Mamedov returned in the second with steely focus, letting his double jabs and right hands flow freely, securing a 4–1 split and reclaiming control of the bout.

The final round saw both men trading ferocious blows, but it was Mamedov’s composure, timing, and accuracy that swayed the judges. As the final bell rang, the young Azerbaijani raised his arms in triumph, while a stunned Khudoian wandered the ring, left to ponder a hard-fought silver.

Uzbekistan’s Hasanboy Dusmatov captured 51kg gold with a 4–1 victory over Russia’s Bair Batlaev, showcasing the poise of an Olympic champion.

In the final round, Batlaev unleashed long, leaping punches, yet Dusmatov picked his openings carefully, landing telling blows and closing out the bout with another 4–1 score, securing the gold despite conceding the last round.

Kazakhstan’s Saken Bibossinov claimed bantamweight gold over Russia’s Viacheslav Rogozin after a tense bout review.

Rogozin stormed out of the gates, but Bibossinov weathered the early onslaught, edging the first round 3–2. A decisive right uppercut in the second earned a standing count and a unanimous round, and though Rogozin pressed in the final, Bibossinov held firm, taking the victory as the Russian fought back tears.

At 57kg, Kazakhstan’s Orazbek Assylkulov dominated from the opening bell, outpointing Tajikistan’s Khusravkhon Rakhimov 5–0. Rakhimov’s second-round surge only earned a 3–2 edge, and a messy third sealed Assylkulov’s clear victory.

Russia’s Vsevolod Shumkov claimed 60kg gold after a grueling 4–3 bout review with Uzbekistan’s Abdumalik Khalokov. Shumkov’s relentless pressure and wide hooks overcame Khalokov’s grappling and time-wasting, earning the Russian a hard-fought triumph amid the cheers of former champion Denis Lebedev.

Ilia Popov of Russia outlasted Kyrgyzstan’s Omar Livaza to take 63.5kg gold. Popov swept the first round, held the second despite a cut over his eye, and withstood Livaza’s desperate final push to secure the light-welterweight crown.

Uzbekistan’s Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev added another title to his collection at welterweight, outpointing Russia’s Evgenii Kool 5–0. Dominant and deftly defensive, Muydinkhujaev neutralized Kool’s body attacks to claim a flawless victory, presented by pro standout Nico Ali Walsh.

Ablaikhan Zhussupov of Kazakhstan transformed a string of bronze medals into 71kg gold with a 4–1 victory over Russia’s Sergei Koldenkov. Sharp hands and superior footwork allowed Zhussupov to dictate the first two rounds and withstand a late Russian push to secure the IBA crown.

In a 75kg southpaw duel, Russia’s Ismail Mutsolgov swept past Sabyrzhan Akkalykov of Kazakhstan 5–0. Early dominance and persistent pressure rendered Akkalykov’s late efforts insufficient to bridge the gap, leaving Mutsolgov to claim the world title.

Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Ummataliev, fresh from eliminating Cuba’s Arlen Lopez, fell to Russia’s Dzhambulat Bizhamov 5–0 at 80kg. A scrappy, bloodied contest saw Bizhamov edge a tight second and maintain control through chaotic exchanges, earning world championship gold.

At 86kg cruiserweight, Sharabutdin Ataev of Russia claimed back-to-back world titles with a commanding 5–0 victory over Belarus’ Aleksei Alfiorau. Patient, composed, and precise, Ataev herded his opponent to the ropes and dictated the bout with compact, punishing power.

Russia’s Muslim Gadzhimagomedov rumbled past Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in the heavyweight final, taking a 5–0 decision. Despite a scrappy opening and a momentary knockdown, Gadzhimagomedov’s relentless pressure and steady grind earned him a third world crown.

In the super-heavyweight finale, Russia’s David Surov set a punishing pace against Uzbekistan’s Arman Makhanov. Taller but off-rhythm, Makhanov wilted under Surov’s pressure. A clipped right hand brought a first-round standing count, and the onslaught continued until the Uzbek corner wisely stopped the fight, giving Surov a second-round RSC—the sole stoppage of the finals.