“I’ll have to wait for that to sink in”, said a delighted Conlan afterwards.
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“It was probably the best punch I’ve ever been hit by in my life”.
The Irish captain has seen bits of his opponent’s fights at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena, but is concentrating on his own performance.
The 23-year-old survived a third round knockdown against Akmadaliev to win 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.
Two judges scored the first round in favour of Conlan, while one scored in favour of Akhmadaliev. If I wasn’t as fit as I am, I wouldn’t have been able to get up.
He adds the world crown to his European and Commonwealth titles.
“You can call me the (Conor) McGregor of boxing”.
Conlan, 23, said it was the first time he had ever been knocked down in his life, but he still clung on to claim the bantamweight title (56kg) at the championships in Doha.
TWO IRISH BOXERS have make-or-break bouts at the World Championships in Doha tonight, but there are vastly different prizes on offer for each. To be a world champion heading into an Olympic Games is a few achievement. I’m coming through with everything I’m saying, I’m not just making false promises.
If the final-round scorecards for Conlan’s bout appeared odd, the scores of O’Reilly’s fight were downright freaky as the 22-year-old Irishman dominated the bout but only won the final round, according to the judges.
Earlier in the session, box-offs between four bronze medalists saw Olympic qualification move a huge step closer for Belarusian bantamweight Dzmitry Asanau and Egypt’s middleweight Hosam Abdin, while Wuttichai Masuk was awarded a walkover, with Cuban Yasniel Toledo unable to box for medical reasons.
“I thought in my own mind that I won three rounds”, said O’Reilly.
Last night, Joe Ward came up short in his attempt to join Conlan as a world gold medallist after losing to Cuba’s Julio Cesar La Cruz in the light-heavyweight final.
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“The guys have done so well so far and we are now looking to put the icing on the cake”, said head coach Billy Walsh.
