26-year-old Dalakliev from "Botev"-Plovdiv, Bulgarian Detelin Dalakliev celebrates winning against Russian Eduard Abzalimov after their fight in category Bantam 54 Kg, during their AIBA World Championships at Assago Forum in Milan. Photo by BGNESwho won silver at the European boxing Championships recently, went one better in Milan. Dalakliev is a defensive specialist and he kept dancing and waiting for a chink in the armour of 24-year-old Russian Eduard Abzalimov.
The Russian, former junior world champion and World Cup winner, could not find the key to the Bulgarian's style and although Abzalimov came back strongly in the final round it was too little, too late and Dalakliev won thr gold medal for Bulgaria, 5-3.
Dalakliev won the first round 1:0 and finished the second with another strong punch to again take a 1:0 round victory. He let Abzalimov come at him in the following rounds but managed to keep out of trouble and won an enthralling bout.
SNA