Two fights down in Serbia Waterford's Kelyn Cassidy is into the last eight.
The Ballybeg native beat Shabbos Negmatullov in Belgrade this evening over three rounds at light heavyweight to secure his place in the quarter finals.
A hard fought and pacey fight saw the Tajikistan pugilist push Cassidy to the pin of his collar in what was a razor close fight for three hectic rounds in Serbia.
Walking to the ring in his blue singlet, looking ready and assured of his abilities, he waked to the ring with Zaur Antia over his shoulder, he climbed into the squared circle after his opponent and having gotten his instructions from referee Frank Fiacco the two met in the centre setting the tone early on for what was going to be a brawl from bel to bell.
Early pressure from Negmatullov put Kelyn on the back foot, but lots of movement form Cassidy kept him at arms reach. The punching power of Negmatullov was evident and Kelyn needed to stay on his bike to keep clear of the powerful blows coming his way.
Kelyn needed to tie up the fighter in red to stem the tide as the end of the first round approached, but he started to slip some shots and landed cleanly himself.
The bell went to herald the end of the round and the Waterford man was down on the score cards three to two.
Negmatullov came out hard at the start of the second and was off balance when he threw some of his shots. Cassidy was breathing heavily after the efforts of the first round, but was able to start dodging and slipping some of Negmatullov's more potent efforts.
With Kelyn stepping off his right foot, he was able to find the spot he needed and slow the roll of the Tajikistan fighter who was frantically in search of the Irish mans chin.
With his nose bloodied, but feet moving fast, the Saviours Crystal's boxer was still in the fight as the end of the second round approached and managed to land the best shot of the final exchange.
When the score cards were revealed, the Ballybeg native was narrowly ahead; now up on three cards. The tables had turned.
A frantic opening to the third round saw both fighters throwing with reckless abandon.
The look in Kelyn's eyes had changed to a more certain stare, with his opponent squarely in his focus.
He looked the more energetic of the two, and while Negmatullov was throwing a higher quantity, less shots seemed to make their way through. Cassidy's footwork and elusive nature keeping him fro harm
A clean uppercut as the last sixty seconds began slowed down the Takikstan fighter, but the pace of the fight had not overly slowed from that which started the last round.
With the two fighters called to the centre of the ring as the final bel went, the Italian referee held their wrists and lifted the Waterford man's hand to the sky.
The score cards read the fight 4-1 in favour of Cassidy, and booked his place in the quarter finals.
