BELGRADE, Serbia – October 29, 2021 – The United States’ teenage hope Jahmal Harvey delivered the upset performance of in the afternoon session of the fourth day at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Harvey eliminated Uzbekistan’s defending AIBA World Champion Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov to reach the 1/8 final.
Harvey will turn 19 later this year, but the US boxer proved that he is a fantastic talent in boxing. He had some difficulties in the first round in his opening bout, but he managed to beat Belgium’s Vasile Usturoi in a hectic fight. Harvey’s Irish coach Billy Walsh prepared the strategy for his second contest against Mirzakhalilov, reigning AIBA World Champion and Asian Games winner.
The Uzbek boxer is one of the top stars of the AIBA World Boxing Championships. but his US rival surprised him with his effective counter-punching and top level of footwork. Harvey exceeded all of the expectations in this featherweight (57kg) bout and eliminated the defending champion.
“I believed in myself, my skills and on my coaches today,” Harvey said, “and I knew that I could make it. The first round was very important, and I gave in everything to take the lead on the scorecards to follow my own strategy. I have the physical condition to keep in the same level until the very end. The atmosphere is impressive in this event, and I am happy that part of it.”